Romans 11:33-36
Worship is at the heart of the human problem (see Romans 1). Instead of worshipping in the depths of the Creator, we worship in the shallows of the created. In terms of riches, wisdom and knowledge, God is the ocean and the world apart from him is a kiddy pool.
Oh, the depth of the riches… of God!
Paul does not mean material riches. He means the wealth of grace God owns and spends on those he brings to repentance. This is how Paul always uses the word riches. For example:
- Romans 2:4 – Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that god’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
- Romans 10:12 – For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
- Philippians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
I’ve heard it said that “some have wealth in their wallets and poverty in their souls.” Even the deepest material wealth is shallow compared to the soul riches Paul is referring to here.
Oh, the depth of the… wisdom… of God!
To contrast how shallow the world’s wisdom is compared to the depth of God’s wisdom, consider secular self-help books. Here are three of Amazon.com’s best sellers right now:
- The Alchemist – This [book] teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, above all, following our dreams.
- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – Rooted in traditional Toltec wisdom beliefs, four agreements in life are essential steps on the path to personal freedom. As beliefs are transformed through maintaining these agreements, shamanic teacher and healer don Miguel Ruiz asserts lives will “become filled with grace, peace, and unconditional love.” (The four agreements: 1) Be impeccable with your words; 2) Don’t take anything personally; 3) Don’t make assumptions; 4) Always do your best.)
- The Secret – You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life. The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers — men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness.
Wade through the shallow wisdom of the world apart from God and here’s what you’ll find:
- It is essential to listen to your heart
- Read the omens strewn along life’s path
- Follow your dreams
- Your life will become filled with grace, peace and unconditional love if you make some simple, practical agreements about how to behave
- You can bring joy to every aspect of your life if you begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that is within you
Dive into the deep wisdom of God and here’s what you’ll find:
- It is essential to allow God to change your heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
- Read the Bible (Psalm 1; 19)
- Follow Jesus (John 18:12)
- Your life will become filled with grace, peace and unconditional love if you become the beneficiary of God’s covenant through Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:25)
- You can grow in joy among other fruits of the Spirit if you begin to understand the power of God (Galatians 5:22-23)
Oh, the depth of the… knowledge of God!
Are humans knowledgeable? As you think about this question, don’t mistake information for knowledge. As T.S. Elliot wrote, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”
The deepest depth of information found via the internet, increased literacy, normalization of college education, etc. remains shallow compared to the depth of the knowledge of God.
Conclusion
Seek riches, wisdom and knowledge in the world apart from God and you will become poor, foolish and ignorant. Seek God and become absorbed with the Rich One, the Wise One, the Knowing One.
How do you seek God in this way? Seek to understand Jesus. Consider the following three passages in which these three ideas (riches, wisdom and knowledge) are tied together to Jesus:
- Colossians 2:1-3 – For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- Ephesians 1:7-10 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the richness of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ…
- Ephesians 3:8-10 – To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
What God did, does and will do through Jesus is the deepest display of glorious riches, wisdom and knowledge the world has ever seen. Therefore, the human desire for riches, wisdom and knowledge is ultimately a desire for Jesus.
The greed on Wall Street is a misguided desire for Jesus. The pondering of the Greek philosophers was a miguided desire for Jesus. The reckless expansion of the internet is a miguided desire for Jesus. For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
Discussion Starters
- In what ways do you see a contrast between the depth of God and the shallowness of the world?
- In what ways are God’s riches deeper than the world’s riches? (See Romans 2:4, 10:12 and Philippians 4:19 for more about what Paul means by “the riches of God”)
- In what ways is God’s wisdom deeper than the world’s wisdom?
- In what ways is God’s knowledge deeper than the world’s knowledge?
- What do people most often turn to in their pursuit of riches? Wisdom? Knowledge?
- Is it difficult for you to accept that God’s judgments and ways are beyond our ability to search or scrutinize? Why or why not?
- Read the following verses together and discuss the correlation between riches, wisdom, and knowledge: Colossians 2:1-3; Ephesians 1:7-10; and Ephesians 3:8-10.
- Read verse 36. What things do you have a hard time believing are from, through, and to God?
- Before praying together, share praises from this past week to glorify God.
