A Heart for Wisdom

Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

- Proverbs 17:16

I knew a man once that decided he wanted to be a farmer as a second career. He had

been highly successful in the business world and anticipated that he would do the same in

farming. He had plenty of money and time, a luxury uncommon to most small time farmers here

in the Ozarks. So he went out and bought all the equipment he thought he would need including

a brand new tractor, fencing supplies, ATV, and more. He rented land, since he did not himself

own enough pasture land and bought a sizable herd of cattle.

He worked hard at this second career for a while, making many mistakes, accumulating

more and more equipment in attempts to make the job easier or more efficient. But he found

himself frustrated after his first cattle sale when his profits barely touched the investment he had

made in all this equipment. The more he farmed the more he realized that he liked the idea of

farming, but he didn’t really like farming itself. It was often hard, dirty work in all kinds of weather

with cattle that were indiscriminate of holidays or his preferences to hit the links once in a while.

Within three years this fledgling farmer had sold all his equipment in an attempt to get as

much of his investment back as possible. He was through with farming. He discovered that even

though he had money and time, he didn’t have a heart for farming.

Anyone that is a farmer or has been a part of a farm family knows that farming is not a

get-rich-quick scheme. Patience is a vital virtue necessary in farm life. Maybe this is why so

many long time or lifetime farmers seem so wise, because wisdom also takes a lot of patience

and time to develop. The Bible tells us that it can’t be purchased; we have to condition

ourselves to have a heart for it.

In Acts 8:18-19 Simon the Sorcerer, a penitent believer, offers money to gain the ability

to pass on the power of the Holy Spirit through his hands. Peter rebukes him for this, saying,

“your heart is not right in the sight of God.” God does not bless us with what our hearts cannot

handle. Peter gives a two step plan to help us re-condition our heart when it falls out of shape.

“Repent ... and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”

(Acts 8:22, ESV) Repent and pray.

But never be afraid to ask God for wisdom concerning your tests of faith in life. James

said, “Mr brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of

your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and

complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all

liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:2-5) Now there’s a passage

fitting for any farmer. Farming has its trials and setbacks and will test your faith for sure. It is

also fitting for any of us trying to gain wisdom for the glory of God. What all will find is that prayer

and patience is usually the best course of action any of us can take.

C. Dixon, 11-26-25