Wisdom in Pain and Prosperity

When I was reading the Daily Office this morning, praying and pondering the various texts, one of the things that struck me was in a reading from the book of Hosea. The whole book of Hosea is an indictment against Israel. God calls Israel his “vine” that he uprooted and planted in a large and glorious place. He gave them a rich gift. Even more, by his good grace he made them prosper. Interestingly enough, the prophet says the thing that seduced Israel away from being lost in love and wonder that God would be so gracious and generous with them, to being proud and believing that it was their own cleverness that that made them great—was prosperity. Listen to the prophet as he shares God’s heart:

 

When I fed them, they were satisfied;

    when they were satisfied, they became proud;

    then they forgot me. (Hosea 13:6)

 

I read years ago something the Scottish philosopher and writer Thomas Carlyle said, “Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man, but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.” I say all that to say, James says we need wisdom as much in prosperity as we do in the painful times of life. In fact, he says that just as painful things can make you bitter and hard, prosperity can just as easily lead you away from the gospel. So, this week we will talk about it and how wisdom is indispensable for both pain and prosperity. 

 

Blessings, 

Jim