This week, the “Group of 7” (or G7) gathers in Italy. For those of us unfamiliar with the G7, its name reflects a membership of seven of the world’s major industrialized nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US) with the stated agenda of “discussing key global policy issues, exchange views and work together to develop constructive solutions.” Two terms that describe their purpose need greater clarity: “global policy” is really “global politics” or issues that play out on the global arena between nations, and “exchange views” means the sharing of corporate wisdom to deal with the complex issues of the world. Worldly wisdom to deal with global issues. The first item has already decided upon with amazing speed, and that is to use Russian assets that were frozen at the start of the war to finance a $50 billion dollar loan to Ukraine for its war efforts against Russia. It sounds like a good idea. Why not use Russian money as collateral for loans to fight Russia? It would be the ultimate “slap in the face” delivered to the Russian invaders of Ukraine. Canada has already pledged US$5 billion based on future earnings of these frozen assets.
As I pondered the wisdom of this action, I must confess that something didn’t sit well with my spirit. For one, we’re lending money and creating a Ukraine indebted to countries in the G7. Why lend money to a country already impoverished by a war pushed upon them? As well, we’re trusting in money that isn’t ours to lend money we do not have. That cannot be a very good plan. But more disturbing is that we’re lending money into a war to end a war. Should the war indeed end (as is what we would hope for), those frozen assets would have to be returned to their owners, and the expected income from investments to furnish the loans that we hand out would immediately dry up. It occurred to me that good ideas up front may not be wise decisions in the end. James calls out the prevailing wisdom and calls it “demonic”. Stand clear of its deceiving influence. Worldly wisdom wavers when things get tough (James 1:2-12), is quick to anger and embroiled in quarrels (1;19, 20; 4:1-4), declares faith without deeds or character (1:25; 2:14-26), doesn’t govern the tongue (3:1-12), relies on worldly resources than on God (4:13-17), and lacks a vibrant prayer life (5:13-20). Whether at work or in our personal lives, among strangers or with friends, in politics or in church, we are called to godly wisdom. It involves purity in motive, in life and in words, pursuing peace in all things, a humility in spirit that is gentle, reasonable and merciful, and a deep concern about acting in a godly way that is fair and sincere (James 3:17). I came away desiring godly wisdom for all our leaders. I deeply desire godly wisdom for each of us. Let’s pray together that we would wise in this present age. Let’s act wisely. Let’s think biblically. Let’s walk by the Spirit’s wisdom. And let’s stand clear of the wisdom of this world. Please.
Just Church
This is what Just Church seeks to do – to use every wisdom we have in Christ to point people to Jesus. “The vision of Just Church is to establish a church in just the way Christ called the church to be – true to His Word, loving Him, loving one another, and loving the lost.”
