To build or not to build?

New year is a time for resolutions. Whether it be a financial, physical, spiritual, relational, or career, we all make them but seldom ask ourselves one guiding question: "Is it wise?" (especially if we keep on making the same resolutions without seeing real progress). Of course this does not apply for just new year resolutions but almost every major goal/decision we make in life.

Is it wise to: Save up for this? Set such health goal(s)? Reach this spiritual achievement(s)? Desire such relationship(s)? Pursue this career goal(s)?

There is a saying from the Jewish and Judeo-Christian Scriptures worthy of consideration: "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverb 24:3-4)

To build a house a blueprint is required, sound foundation must be laid, strong and solid support structure must be erected, and everything else follow the designated layout. When someone takes residence it must then be furnished and fashioned according to one’s preference and purpose. The completion of a house from start to finish is no easy undertaking and requires much knowledge and understanding. 

Merriam-Webster defines...

• Knowledge as: the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association; the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning.
• Understanding as: the capacity to apprehend general relations of particulars, and the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories

Knowledge is the truth or fact about each specific task (ie., what are the facts about laying a solid foundation?). These granular facts are crucial to the quality of how the house is constructed. Understanding is the comprehension, apprehension, and gathering knowledge that enables the completion of the project. Having a bunch of facts without an understanding of how to bring them together is useless. Hence, by understanding that “it is established."

While knowledge and understanding are both very worthy endeavor to seek after there is one that is often overlooked and proved to be most vital - wisdom. Wisdom is defined as “good sense; a wise attitude, belief, or course of action” (Merriam-Webster).  Wisdom helps to address the question “Is it wise?”. Is it wise to build a house?

Knowledge is fact and information. Understanding is the comprehension and collection of the facts. Wisdom is the discernment for the course of action.

Another way to look at it is:

• Knowledge is the “what” – what are the specific steps to achieve such task
• Understanding is the “how” – how do I bring see these tasks coming together to achieve the ultimate goal?
• Wisdom is the “why” – why am I building a house in the first place?

Why do I save up for this? Why do I set such health goal(s)? Why do I need to reach this spiritual achievement(s)? Why do I desire such relationship(s)? Why do I pursue this career goal(s)?

As I am still learning to incorporate these principles into my own life… I wish you well as you seek after wisdom and discernment for yours.


Quotes on wisdom:

• "Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens." (Jimi Hendrix)
• "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates)