Wisdom from above shows up in small choices

In the Bible, there is a clear depiction of the “wisdom from above.” It leaves no wiggle room. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

Wow. Where do I see this anywhere? Let’s take the last one. Hypocrisy. I had lunch yesterday with a young 20-something friend. She is a server in a Spokane Valley restaurant. From her — a woman just establishing her way — I heard about the “church crowd.” The people who show up just after noon on Sundays, who are rude and leave no, or low, tips.

They have a “reputation” in the restaurant world. This friend, who has worked her job for four years, also said she has co-workers who struggle with addictions — gambling, drugs, alcohol. She has seen how they are more generous in spirit than the after-church club.

What could I say? I repeated a truth I’d heard in “A Great Awakening,” recently in theaters. The passionate preacher George Whitefield cries out in a raw moment to a skeptical Ben Franklin, “Do not base your faith on my flawed life.” Everyone leads a flawed life when measured by the wisdom from above. The one who does not is Jesus.

When I read His story, I find His biggest gripe is hypocrisy. He called out fakery in every form. What’s more, there was no hiding from Him. He knew what was in the heart of man. One graphic He gave on the subject is unforgettable. He said hypocrites are like “whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

I want to object, to say this is not me. But I was challenged on hypocrisy just this morning. I order a medicine from an out-of-country pharmacy — which offers a lower price. There was a shipping confusion when I moved last fall. They sent a new order. Eventually their misaddressed order arrived. I had a half-year supply.

Today, I called to request a new shipment. The conversation was about to end. I hesitated to bring up that unpaid order: “Oh, by the way, I received an order I still owe you for.” Were they really going to miss that money? I would miss it. I knew I owed it. I spoke up.

“Without hypocrisy” is the highest-priced challenge I will ever know. Many times, I do not want to pay the cost — monetarily, relationally or personally. Yet my dream is to live life in the “wisdom from above.” Every single amplifier the Bible mentions is appealing to me. They all have the power to help me flourish — to point me to wisdom’s source.

Wisdom came to earth. Wisdom walked its dusty roads in sandals. Slept on hard ground. Wisdom sought the castoffs. Cleansed the lepers. Wisdom calmed the storm. Called to the children. Wisdom told the truth. Watered thirsty souls. Restored my life in every good way.

Wisdom from above is the biggest tipper there is.

Carol Shirk Knapp is the author of "The Preacher's Kid" column.