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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Shrewdness (03/07/05)
We have all heard of those people, human beings who accomplish amazing, mind-boggling feats of gigantic proportions.
How about a financial wizard with a keen, sharp business sense amassing fortunes in the millions and even billions of dollars!
Then there’s an archeologist with a discovery of the century, a discovery that gets the whole world in a tizzy.
On a lower scale, consider the Dean of your local college or university. It would take a brilliant mind to occupy that seat, you think.
Then there’s little old me with my average intelligence, mediocre lifestyle and slow wit. Seriously, I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, usually the last to get a joke and possess the drive or ambition of a snail with an under-active thyroid.
The dictionary defines shrewdness as having a keen, sharp, cunning mind. Cunning means skillful in deception. Other descriptive words include bad, evil, wicked, mischievous, piercing and sharp. Most of the meanings point to a keen mind that resorts to wicked ways to succeed.
Now, I’m not saying every successful person has exhibited shrewdness to get where they are, but often, innocent people are trampled over on the road to success.
The news is full of corruption and extortion, sometimes bringing about the collapse of a business empire.
Even the astounding unearthed discovery of ancient bones can be false, planted there by a man with an overwhelming desire for fame and fortune, with a shrewd mind to deceive.
Don’t get me wrong! There is nothing wrong with a brilliant, sharp mind. Many Godly people are blessed with great intelligence and use it in wonderful ways.
But, success in the world’s eyes is not the same as success in God’s. All the wisdom and knowledge in the world cannot gain you true wealth, an inheritance with the Almighty God for eternity.
The world’s knowledge is foolishness in God’s eyes, for He has revealed true knowledge to the simple-minded, those with minds like little children.
God’s message of salvation is so simple. His free gift, His death on the cross for our sins is overlooked by the wise of this world.
I’m thankful that God has opened my simple, average mind to understand this secret. He sent Jesus to die for me. He loves me that much, even though I didn’t deserve it.
I’d rather be content with the attributes that God has given me, even if I never understand why the chicken has to cross the road, than have a brilliant mind that may lack the greatest knowledge of all.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 933 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shellie Power
03/14/05
Thank you for the smile you put on my face. I too am often one fry short of a happy meal and it is nice to be reminded that we often make things more complicated than they need to be. Remember Jesus told us to come as children!
Crista Darr
03/15/05
Sweet story with a lure toward humbleness!
donna robinson
03/16/05
I would have liked to have seen this in more readable paragraphs but aside from that (hey my eyes and brain take awhile to react otherwise!) it was a quick paced and to the point read. Definitely enjoyed it!
Sally Hanan
03/16/05
Very nicely done and I liked this sentence in particular-ambition of a snail with an under-active thyroid.
L.M. Lee
03/17/05
good application of the topic