This is a good one. This is something that I definitely struggle with, the balance between being a good steward of my talents and the pursuit of the "wisdom of this age." Paul begins the passage by making the statement: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." This sets the tone for the two OT passages he will quote as well as the final point that "all things are yours." We have seen previously in chapter 2 the discussion of true wisdom. There Paul is discussing the wisdom that is known by Christians. It is the difference between the natural man and the spiritual man, because it is only thru the Spirit of God that it has been revealed to us. I think Paul here is addressing the Christians and alerting them to the foolishness of pursuing the "wisdom of this age." So what is the answer: "let him become a fool, that he may become wise." As we previously discussed, it is necessary to become foolish in the eyes of a world that has its focus on obtaining human wisdom. It is actually a natural byproduct of following Christ and pursuing truth. We tend to see the error in the world's way and the world's value system as truth is revealed to us by the Spirit and we cannot help but to dismiss the world's ideas, thus becoming foolish to the world.
Paul continues with two quotes from the OT. The first is from Job 5.13. Job is praising God for his faithfulness and grace to His people. In context:
He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning quickly comes upon them. (vs. 12-13).
Job acknowledges the foolishness of worldly wisdom. God will frustrate our thinking, and we cannot outsmart or out think our creator. It is a little scary to read that last phrase, "the counsel of the cunning quickly comes upon them." Basically to me that says that you cannot outsmart with worldly wisdom all dangers and adversity in this life, and be careful not to think you can, because that is when it may just flood in. Look at Job, he was God's most faithful steward around, and yet extreme adversity, Satan himself tempted Job. And yet (foolish looking to the world) Job praised God for his grace and mercy. If that isn't foolish looking to the world, I don't know what is.
The second OT account is from David in the Psalms. David is basically teaching us through his lament to the Lord, that it is futile to pursue human wisdom, especially if you think you are "outsmarting" God. He states, "He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?...The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile." David as well in this passage shows us that while the punishment for sin may not be immediate, the unrighteous may profit for a time. However, they will pay for their crimes. This is also a stern warning to us not to continue in sin or in pursuing what is foolishness to our God. God knows all!
The final point Paul makes is that it ultimately is foolish to pursue worldly wisdom because all things already belong to us anyway. We all belong to Christ and Christ to God. Therefore, there is really nothing that we must obtain in this life that we do not already have stake in. We are coheirs with Christ, what higher privilege is there. Why would we complain and bicker over our identity in different ministers of the word, if we are united in Christ. This same issue surfaces in chapter 6 about lawsuits. "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?" If that is the case why would we argue about judging such small matters. We have such a higher calling.
Finally we should praise God as Job and David did and thank Him primarily for our salvation, but He heaped on the blessings by giving us "all things." What a generous and gracious God we serve. May this motivate us to pursue Godly wisdom and to dismiss the fading wisdom of this world.
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