I get all my good stories from my husband. So, Greg told me about a discussion he participated in this week with other local realtors about matters of the economy. An elderly gentleman offered his observations on the state of our local housing market. The discussion goes on well until a young, upstart realtor corrects something—which could be considered a matter of opinion—the elderly gentleman said. Armed with a little bit of (book) knowledge, the young man took aim and fired.

Greg tells me that it was quite uncomfortable and embarrassing having to listen to the critique. Finally, someone with nerve spoke up and asked, “Do you know who you just criticized?” The elderly man whom the young man was blasting happened to be the wealthiest, most successful multi-million dollar property owner in the county.

Greg tells me this phenomenon happened all the time while he was a student in seminary. Some young kid would read a book, arm himself with a little theological know-how, and then proceed to argue a point with the professor while everyone sat there and waited. Situations like these are always uncomfortable, not because the teacher is never wrong, but because some students don’t understand the value of humility, building relationships, and community in the context of learning.

And these are my comments in regards to the profitable discussion on the post below. I think that is what the verse, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man,” means as one commenter pointed out. (Colossians 4:6) The person who gets knowledge should also arm himself with wisdom and understanding. Knowledge is like having a tool, but wisdom is knowing how and when to use it.

Reading Wendell Berry this week reminded me of all this. I don’t understand half of what he says, but I’m smart enough to know that I should make an effort to try. I disagreed with him on some certain matter, but I kept reading anyway as I figured it was worth my time.