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Given the right environment and opportunity, wouldn’t we opt for success? Why do we make the effort to belong or maintain an image of success through social media (This penchant for recognition allows the fashion industry to thrive)? At best, we seek counsel from mentors and coaches. Self-help books make it to the top sellers. Interestingly, the Bible tops the scale in terms of longevity.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.¹ There are 5 books categorized as the Wisdom Books—Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all . . .² The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. . . Note, God had made Solomon king at a young age in place of David as promised. And Solomon acknowledged his inadequacy to rule God’s chosen people. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord . . . . behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. . . .³

Let the wise hear and increase in learning and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.⁴ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.⁵ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. . . .⁶

To our detriment due to countless urgent things to do, we tend to neglect the important task of sharpening the axe. Jesus warned his disciples not to be anxious. For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.⁷ In his old age, Solomon reflected about the meaning of life in his book Ecclesiastes and concluded that the chasing after the good things that this life can offer is vanity or futility. The lyrics from his Song of Ascents reads, Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.⁸

Ignorance is not to be scorned; it simply means you have no knowledge yet of a subject matter. But remaining ignorant is different; it is a foolish choice. Allow me to urge you develop the habit of studying your Bible daily, first things first. It takes intentionality and a decision. Fit into your schedule reflecting, meditating, and applying Scripture daily. For starters, trick yourself into the habit by reading bite size verses, then a chapter daily. You may consider the Book of Mark (the shortest among the 4 Gospels—the good news); if you read a chapter a day, in 16 days you would have finished a book. Join a small group that meets regularly to study the Scriptures. As you increase in your knowledge, you will gain wisdom and be shielded from deception; like Solomon, you will discern between good and evil. 

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.⁹