Bighearted Wisdom

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.”

—1 Kings 4:29

Solomon’s wisdom was no doubt amazing. So amazing, the Scriptures tell us that people from every nation came to hear him. But this passage strikes me, as it gives reminder that he didn’t only have wisdom, but he also had a big heart.

This heart of his was seen clearly when he first asked for wisdom from the Lord, not for the sake of his own gain, but for the sake of his people.

It makes me question my own desire for wisdom. Is it for my gain that I want it? For praise from others? For the ability to live shrewdly and avoid being taken advantage of?

May the Lord give each of us such largeness of heart—a vehement desire for wisdom, and that, genuinely for the sake of His people. For godly, fruitful wisdom is a bighearted wisdom.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18).