How to Not Be Stupid

Here's a good question to ponder: If there was a book titled How to Not Be Stupid, would it be a best seller? Or would the people who needed to read it be too thick to realize it? How about this question: If you are stupid, how do you know it? Is there a test you can take? I'm sure that everyone reading this right now is absolutely positive that they are not stupid, but could easily diagnose someone who is. But if nobody thinks they are stupid, who sets the stupid standard? Who makes the little amusement park sign that says, "You must be at least this wise to ride"? Should we judge by grades, test scores, bank account balance or coherence of speech?

I ask this because at The Creek we are looking at the book of Proverbs this month in a series called Fortune Cookie Faith. The book of Proverbs is thirty one chapters made up of one to two sentence sayings - not unlike the ones that come inside the fortune cookie that arrives at the end of your Chinese meal. Imagine that God ran a Chinese restaurant and wrote all the cookie fortunes. If you ate there daily, kept all of the cookie fortunes you received and compiled them all into a book, it would look a lot like the book of Proverbs.

I think Proverbs could aptly be subtitled How To Not Be Stupid because the whole purpose of the book is summed up in Proverbs 1:5 - Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance. God sets the stupid standard, and he is very invested in us living wise lives. He wants to equip us to make the right choices that will both protect us and prosper us. So he gave us Proverbs.

This month, The Creek will be reading through the book of Proverbs one chapter a day. It's not complicated. There are thirty one chapters, so we are reading the chapter that corresponds with the date. On 9/6 we will read Proverbs 6. Our goal - to not be stupid. Will you join us in our quest?

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2:2-11