Wisdom, Fame, and Fortune
This week’s celebrity obituaries probably hold more impact for parents than kids. Hopefully, they will remind us, at least, that life is very short and can end very quickly. And hopefully, they’ll motivate us to continue to prepare our kids for the right definition of success.
We’re pulling our talking points this week from James 3:13-18, which talks about the difference between heaven’s wisdom and that of the world. One of the most striking differences is illustrated in the lives and deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett—both enormously successful on the world’s playing field and both (reportedly) tremendously troubled for long stretches after becoming successful.
We hope a few of these questions will provide some timely and productive conversation with your child about life, death, wisdom, foolishness, success, and failure. Spending a few minutes with James 3:13-18 will help prepare you to talk about the Bible’s perspective on the answers.
Talking Points
- Were you ever a fan of any of Michael Jackson’s music—and how do you feel about his death? [Parent: Be willing to share your memories of Jackson’s success, your own fandom (or lack of it), and your feelings about his passing.]
- Who would you say are the Michael Jacksons and Farah Fawcetts of your day? Who has that kind of fame, power, “cool factor,” and money?
- Do any of them seem to you like wise people? Why or why not?
- We can’t know for sure if this applies to Michael Jackson, but what does it mean to you that a person could gain the whole world and lose his soul? [Parent: See Mark 8:36.]
- How would you define success from a worldly point of view?
- What is your definition of success?
- What is the point of becoming rich and famous if it causes so many people to become miserable—and if it can go away so quickly?
- How would you define wisdom? How about understanding?
- James 3 says that if someone has wisdom and understanding, we should see it in his or her life. What would you say is evidence of wisdom in someone’s life?
- According to James, wisdom shows up as a “good life” and doing good things with humility. Who are a few people in your life who show a lot of wisdom and understanding?
- Do you know any smart people who aren’t as good at living wisely? Can someone be really successful—rich and famous and powerful—without being very wise or understanding?
- How would you describe the opposite of wisdom and understanding?
- James talks about “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition”—or wanting what other people have and wanting to promote yourself—as the opposite of wisdom. Why do you think that selfishness and wisdom are opposites?
- Sometimes, selfish people succeed in getting what they want—possessions, status, pleasure. Do you think it usually leads to real happiness? Why or why not?
- James says two results of living for yourself—even if you become rich and famous—are disorder (or confusion) and more and more sinfulness. Can you think of any successful people who seem to be known for leading lives of confusion and sinfulness?
- If we don’t make it the point of our lives to make money or get famous or feel good—what should be the point of our lives? What should we live to accomplish?
- How can we get wisdom and understanding from God’s point of view? [Parent: Study the Word, ask God for wisdom, focus on God and others.]
- James makes a big deal of the idea that “wisdom is as wisdom does”—and that wisdom is humble. How would you define being humble? Can you think of any famous people known for being really humble?
- Instead of “winning” or getting ahead, God’s wisdom in James 3:18 seems to be about making peace and getting along with and serving other people. Does that sound like wisdom to you? Why or why not?
- Can you live for money and fame and live for serving other people at the same time? Why or why not?
- Jesus said you can’t serve both God and money at the same time. (See Luke 16:13.) Why does it take so much humility not to live for money, but to live for God?
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