Cornerstone

II Timothy 3:14-17 (16)

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Employee benefits that we often think of first are health insurance, paid vacation time and paid sick leave.  Other perks might include the use of the company car, free meals, discounted products, a retirement program, free or discounted daycare for your children, etc.  Your employee benefit package will vary depending on your employer and on how many hours you work.  Some employers cut benefits for part time employees while other employers realize that benefits for part time employees may guarantee that they will be able to retain the employee.  It is cheaper to retain than to retrain.  Other employers feel that the wage is the greatest benefit and offer no additional perks.

The Word of God has its own benefit package.  Although many things could be listed Paul mentions seven, in 2 Tim 3:14-17:

1. It is able to lead us to salvation through faith vs. 15
2. It is profitable for doctrine vs. 16
3. It is profitable for reproof vs. 16
4. It is profitable for correction vs. 16
5. It is profitable for instruction in righteousness vs. 16
6. It will help us be more complete as a disciple of Christ vs. 17
7. It will help us be thoroughly prepared to do all good works vs. 17

God’s Word offers benefits that are significant and lasting.  They offer true value.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Proverbs 16:13-16 (16)

¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.

¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.

¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!

Biblical Wisdom properly defined is when we “see things from God’s perspective.”  The problem is identified in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus demonstrates in practical terms what Biblical Wisdom is all about.  Strangely enough the human reaction appears normally to be the direct opposite of the Divine desire.  Proverbs 2:10-15 gives an “if-then” statement of promise.  “When (if) wisdom enters into your heart, and (if) knowledge is pleasant to your soul; (then) discretion shall preserve you, (and then) understanding shall keep you.”

In Phuket, Thailand, a sign hangs outside a doctor’s office. The words in Thai are followed by an English translation, which proudly proclaims: FAIRLY RELIABLE DOCTOR.  Although this interpretation probably does not convey the intent of the doctor it does describe our human endeavors that lack godly wisdom.  When our life’s intent is to see things from God’s perspective we can then be assured that the results will be different.  They may be confusing to the world but they will be pleasing to God.

James’ admonition is encouraging.  James 1:5 tells us that if we discover that we look at things only from a human perspective that we should ask God to help us to learn how to look at things from His view point.  When we ask, James says we can be sure of two things:  1) God will generously bestow this ability upon us, and 2) He will not scold us for our spiritual sluggishness that causes us to be slow to make this request.

Dr. Gayle Woods