When Admin Smith coined the phrase that under girds his economic theory, “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer,” I suspect he did not realize how accurately such a statement applies to growing in wisdom, most certainly in Christian education.

Isn’t it amazing that most people understand the connection between “getting into shape”, discipline, and guided – practice for success in athletics and fine arts, yet fail to realize how much growth in knowledge, in wisdom, in the respect and understanding of our faith and life is also essential for “running towards the goal” of our Lord and Savior.

Ask any athlete, who has suffered the heat and humidity of August, about the exhaustion and effort to rebuild and redevelop muscles that have atrophied over the summer.

Musicians know that, without constant practice, lose the fine-tuning and precision so essential to their performance.

The same is true in the academic realm – the cognitive (or head knowledge), the affective (our attitudes and values), and the behavior that is the outgrowth of what we know and our attitudes and values.

Unless constant effort is made to grow and develop, the opposite will occur. There is no such thing as a static existence. Those rich in wisdom become richer, while those who care little become poorer.

Solomon, the philosopher of old, wrote in Proverbs 9:2, “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still.” The psalmist notes in Psalm 111:10: “The fear (respect, adoration) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow His precepts have good understanding.”

It is important, at the start of another academic year, to get back to the basics, to the reason for our schools, to our “mission” and purpose, to the philosophy which drives all that is said and done, to our “vision” for the future.

Simply stated that “vision” is to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12:2)

A Portals of Prayer devotion stated, “Real wisdom comes to the one who has a happy relationship with God, based on faith in Jesus. This wisdom knows God’s love and cherishes God’s law. It understands the nature of sin and marvels at the wonder of God’s grace. Wisdom measures all things by the yardstick of salvation crafted at the cross.”

“The wise person is therefore curious…” fascinated by all that God has created. He or she wants to know and understand more and more about this marvelous world and the marvelous body He has created.

The ability to learn, to retain knowledge, to gain understanding, and to apply what we know in our lives is a special gift from God that will grown in value and depth, the more we put wisdom to use.

Amazing, isn’t it? The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It all depends on our attitude and our source of true wisdom.

In the previous Lutheran High East, at the end of the hallway, was a moving picture painted by art students. The head of Christ fills the wall and serves as a daily reminder of the true source of all wisdom. It is a dramatic reminder about the rich getting richer in His blessings for our faith and life.

Our Lutheran schools are so very different, so special, and so unique, because of our Lord. Keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus much be reflected in the academic content, the modeling, and in the values that are taught.

The are, briefly stated:

• Lutheran high schools teach creation and explain what is wrong with the theory of evolution and secular humanism.
• Lutheran high schools teach a “pro-life” ethic and explain the problems and pitfalls of a “pro-choice” position.
• Lutheran high schools teach teen chastity and abstinence, helping young people to save the treasure God has given to each of them in their body for their future lifetime mate. Our schools teach “no sex” not the “safe sex” that is so prominent in our secular world. Lutheran schools strive to show and grown respect in our youth, for themselves and for others, and a renewed commitment and self respect, when such has been lost.
• Lutheran high schools teach that alternative life styles, as evidenced in the gay movement, are not God pleasing, nor do they reflect His will and way for our world.
• Lutheran high schools teach values based on the Ten Commandments, as a guide, a rule, and a curb for our lives. Yet, in a through all must be a clear knowledge and understanding, by faith, of the rich forgiveness available to all, when they fail. Our Lord’s forgiveness can provide the strength to cope with the consequences of sin and evil in our lives.

Our Lutheran schools, however, are not perfect by any means. Often our “vision” will get blurred. It is so easy to ignore and fail to see Him – to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus – to go another way, the way of the world.

Yes, students, parents, faculty, and staff can truly become richer in our Lutheran schools, or – sad to say – they may also become poorer. It all depends what our eyes are fixed upon.

Lord willing, our eyes, this year and every year, will be fixed on Him.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. John A. Herzog