Daniel 1:17  God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. (NLT)

Daniel 1:20  Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. (NLT)

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The Message paraphrases this verse this way: 

God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding of all sorts of visions and dreams.

Intelligence is a stewardship issue. We are gifted by God with the ability to learn and master various areas of inquiry and application. How we manage these abilities empowers us to excel in specific fields of endeavor. We are also able to enjoy other intellectual pursuits out of curiosity and for fun. 

Daniel and his friends used all the brains God gave them, and they learned together and from one another. They distinguished truth from falsehood in Babylonian literature. They examined everything set before them, mastered the subjects, and held fast to God’s truth both from their faith, and as revealed in the intellectual pursuits of those who also brought intellectual rigor to their experience of the world.

This intellectual stewardship results in exemplary demonstrations of wisdom. This, in turn, led to special assignments. Daniel was given special abilities by God to use as a witness to who he was. It was the application of these insights that saved their lives, as well as the lives of those who did not yet know God for who he truly is.

Verse 20  Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

A famous, mostly playful insult is repeated in the movie A River Runs Through It. The Presbyterian pastor calls Methodists “Baptists who can read.” 

There are quite a few people, including many Baptists, who pride themselves on their spirituality and lack of intellectual rigor. They esteem their advanced spiritual attainment over and above all things academic. This is hard to square with Jesus’ instruction to “Love the Lord your God with . . . all your mind,”(Matthew 22:37). 

Daniel and his friends were known for their knowledge, wisdom, and management abilities. They clearly loved God with all their minds. If they had not, we would not have ever heard about them. 

You have probably heard that “A person who doesn’t read has no advantage over the one who cannot.” This mild insult is true and potent. Learning is a privilege made possible by those who have experienced the benefits of education for themselves. Lifelong learning serves us and others. 

I heard a man whose only degree came from his public high school say, “God can use a sharp knife better than a dull one.” That’s graduate-level truth. 

What could God do in us and through us if we used all the brains he gave us and all we could borrow? What could he do to build a better world if we spent more time thinking, “What if . . . ?” What could he do through us if we sought to know and understand all the truth he makes available to us that is beneficial for our homes, workplaces, and communities? 

What do you think? 

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I will love God with all my mind so that he can most clearly express Himself through me to those who need to know and understand his greatness.

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Our Father, I give you my mind. Fill it, increase its capacity, and use it in productive applications that help others see how good you are. Make us more like Daniel and his friends as we steward the intelligence you give us in the service of others. Amen.