Smart people never stop learning. They learn from their own mistakes as well as those of others, and listen to the wisdom of experienced people

It has been said that a successful person does not just have knowledge, they practise wisdom.

Putting it simply, knowledge tells us the stove is on, but wisdom says, ‘Don’t touch the hot plate.’

Knowledge tells us what it’s about. Wisdom shows the way.

Wisdom seeks the right advice, makes the best decisions and says the right things — and at the right time!

Undoubtedly, our finances, our health, our relationships and enterprises can all be enhanced by the priceless gem of discretion.

SMART PEOPLE

Smart people are ever learning — ever discerning and wiser every day. Life’s lessons never end. We live in a big world that is our class room.

Smart people learn from mistakes. We all make them — some are small, some big. But don’t let the kickbacks knock you out of the game - be smarter next time. Oprah Winfrey said, “Turn your wounds into wisdom.”

Smart people learn from others. It was aptly said, “From the errors of others, a wise man corrects his own.” But, another said, “Some learn from the mistakes of others; the rest of us have to be the others.”

Smart people think. Huge blunders seem to follow impulsiveness. Think about consequences — where it will take you — how it will affect others — what will it do to the environment?

Smart people learn from those made wise. The Bible says in the book of Proverbs, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” It also says, “Give a wise man understanding and he will grow yet wiser.”

We tend to associate wisdom with those who’ve lived the longest. Indeed, older people can teach us a lot — but only if they’ve extracted some wisdom from their years.

THE WISE MEN

The Wise Men who travelled from the East to Jerusalem were wise because they acted rightly on the knowledge they had about the stars. The star was prophesied by the Persian prophet Balaam (who foretold “a star coming out from Jacob” in Numbers 24:17Numbers 24:17) and by Daniel, an exiled Jew and chief of court prophets for Persia (see Daniel 9:24-27Daniel 9:24-27).

They came to find The Messiah. This ‘Chosen One’ was prophesied centuries before as the One who would be the flawless mediator between God: holy and perfect; and mankind, rebellious and sinful.

“If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” says 1 John 2, verse 1.

If we reject forgiveness of sins through Jesus, God’s righteous judgement for us will be everlasting punishment. Wise people seek Jesus Christ.

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus meant, ‘House of Bread’. Interesting, it was Jesus who said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and He who believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35John 6:35).

They came with gifts. The wise men presented the Christ child with gifts — including gold. Gold today is worth about $2000 per ounce.

Those who live generously are among the wise. Giving enriches others — and ourselves! Jesus once said, ‘It’s more blessed to give than to receive.’

They came to worship. They said, “We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Wise people worship Jesus. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. “All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3John 1:3). He demonstrated His divine nature when He walked on water, healed the sick, raised the dead, and most of all, when He rose from the dead.

Unlike the Wise Men, we don’t have to travel long miles to know Jesus Christ.

“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart”, writes the apostle Paul, before he explains that “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified [by Jesus’ sacrifice], and it is with your mouth that you confess [to the truth] and are saved” (see Romans 10:6-10Romans 10:6-10).

At this special time of year let us consider the knowledge we have about Jesus and act on it with the wisdom of the Wise Men, who worshiped Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Saviour of mankind.

This Christmas, why not read the account of Jesus’ birth? Navigate to www.ebible.com or www.BibleGateway.com (with free audio) and search for Matthew 1 or Luke 2.