May 28, 2022 – When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron

The Wise and the Unwise

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

“…the Dalai Lama describes two kinds of selfish people: the unwise and the wise. Unwise selfish people think only of themselves, and the result is confusion and pain. Wise selfish people know that the best thing they can do for themselves is to be there for others. As a result, they experience joy.

Chodron, Pema. When Things Fall Apart (Shambhala Classics) (p. 115).

The Wise and the Unwise

Wise and unwise. We make judgements every day about people and actions – those we think are wise and others we think are unwise. We see someone riding a bike without a helmet and think “That is not very wise.” Or we hear one of our friends comment that they have been putting money aside just in case the economy continues to weaken, and we think “That is a wise thing to do.” Of course, the definition of wise and unwise will vary from person to person. While I may think it is not wise to jump off a bridge with a bungee rope tied to my ankles, others will see it as the bravest and wisest thing they have ever done.

In the verses of Matthew chapter 7 preceding 24 to 27, Jesus is drawing comparisons: between the narrow and wide gates, the true and the false disciples, between good fruit and bad fruit, good trees and bad trees, and the wise and the foolish builders. He is making a comparison between those who hear his words of love, mercy and forgiveness and follow them, and those who hear the same words and choose not to listen. We could also think of it as a comparison between those who are selfish and those who are selfless. The selfish think only of themselves – their own wants, needs and desires. The selfless think of the others in their lives – what the other needs, wants and desires. The unwise selfish believe they will find joy in building bigger barns to hoard all of their stuff. In the end they will have nothing to stand on before the Lord but their selfishness. The wise selfish find joy in loving, serving and caring for the others in their lives. In the end they will be standing on the treasures they stored up for themselves in heaven.

Which do you choose to be like: the wise selfish, or the unwise selfish?

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, it is easy to think only of myself. It is exhausting to make sure I have everything I desire. Help me today to think of the others in my life and to find joy in serving and giving to others. Amen.

Pastor Dave