Alexander Pope once wrote, “A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.” 

What did Pope mean? Well, basically that it is better to be ignorant and sincere than to gain just enough knowledge to think you know more than you do. This causes arrogance and pride, two very great sins. 

Real children of God (true Christians) realize full well that they are undeserving and not good. And they are very thankful for God’s “amazing grace” that He affords all who are smart enough to put their faith and trust in Christ. 

The ticket to heaven is free. Romans 10:13 promises, “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

 I have known a lot of people who have only tasted the Pierian spring. They think they know so much more than they actually do. Some of these people hold PhD degrees but have no “common sense.” I once had the displeasure of working with one. He had a PhD but knew almost nothing of value. By contrast, I’ve known people with no degree who had extensive and useful knowledge over a wide array of subjects. 

 Alfred Lord Tennyson once observed, “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” He meant, of course, that wisdom takes longer because it requires experience. This generally takes longer than book learning. 

Knowledge can be a valuable asset and great pleasure; but wisdom is far better than any knowledge. 

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 8:11 tells us, “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

Personally, I much prefer wise people than intellectual fools. Unfortunately so many very intelligent people today are not wise at all. Prime examples are the intellectual college professors who deny God’s very existence. They actually think they know more than the Bible and that they are intelligent enough to understand the world and themselves. 

They are very mistaken. God calls all atheists fools in Psalm 14:1.

 During my 76 years on this earth, I have learned one thing of real value. And that is that real wisdom is knowing Jesus Christ as personal Savior. 

Nothing else in life really matters because nothing else will last. All the money people cheat and even kill to get will pass away. And the one who sinned to get it will take none of it with him when he leaves this earth. Jesus asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

I certainly do not intend to judge anyone, but I do believe that many of the billionaires seem to worship Mammon. And for this I pity them. 

We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. To so many who have loved money He will say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23).