How to Live a Life of Wisdom

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:1-12 

Do you want to live a fulfilling and purposeful life of wisdom? Every day we have the choice to follow the wisdom of God or the ways of the world. In the story of Jesus’ birth, we find three wise men who looked for God in a stable, offered their best to God, and changed direction according to God’s guidance. Let’s take a look at how the ways of the wise men can still speak to us about wisdom today.

1. Wise men look for God in the stable 

To live a life of wisdom, we need to learn how to look for God in every situation. The wise men were looking for God in the stable—which doesn’t seem like the most likely place to find Him. But living a life of wisdom is walking with the understanding that God can show up anywhere, anyhow, through anyone. 

If your circumstances are less than ideal, it’s a perfect place for God to reveal Himself to you. Jesus entered the world in a manger, not a palace. What if the lowly places and lowly circumstances are the very places where God wants to meet you? 

2. Wise men offer their best to God

The wise men offered Jesus the costly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They gave Him their best. If we want to live a life of wisdom, we need to learn how to give our best to God, even when it isn’t seen or acknowledged by anyone else. Here’s a poem that shares the heart of giving your best to God, no matter what. 

Little Places
Father, where shall I work today'
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed me out a tiny spot,
And said, “Tend that for me.”

I answered quickly, “Oh, no, not that.
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done.
Not that little place for me!”

And the word He spoke, it was not stern,
He answered me tenderly,
“Ah, little one, search that heart of thine;
Art thou working for them or me'

Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.”

- Author unknown

3. Wise men change direction in their life

In a dream, the wise men were warned not to return to Herod, so they went down another route. Living a life of wisdom includes listening to God’s leading in our lives—and being willing to change direction as needed. Jesus prayed to the Father, “Not my will but yours be done.” A life of wisdom is a life that models Jesus’ prayer of surrender. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

As we look for God in every situation, bring God our best, and follow God’s direction, we are on our way to living a life of wisdom.

*This article was adapted from a message from Dr. John Maxwell.