Years ago my wife and I were living in Mongolia and someone emailed us a story similar to the following: 

While on a weekend get-away, a well-educated businessman was standing on the pier of a coastal village where a humble villager was docking his small boat. Inside the little boat were several large yellow fin tuna.

The educated man was impressed with the catch, so he complimented the villager on the quality of his fish and asked, “How long did it take you to catch them?” In a broken accent the villager answered, “Only a little while, sir.”

“Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the businessman asked. “I have enough to support my family's immediate needs,” replied the man.

Then the businessman boldly inquired, “What do you do with the rest of your time?” The humble villager said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I go to church and spend time with God and my friends, I have a full and busy life.”

The educated man thought he had all the answers and scoffed, “I can see that you are a good fisherman. I graduated from a world-renowned university, have started several successful companies, and can help you. You should spend more time fishing and then with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, and eventually you could have a fleet of fishing boats.

Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you could sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own canning factory. You could control the product, processing, and distribution. You could need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to a large city where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The villager asked, “But sir, how long will this all take?” To which the educated man replied, “15-20 years.”

“But then what, sir?”

The businessman proudly smiled, “When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”

“Millions, sir? But then what?”

The businessman said, "Then comes the best part! You would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could go to church and get your life right with God and spend time with your friends.”

College basketball Hall of Fame coach John Wooden declared, “It is what we learn after we know it all that really counts.”[i] No matter how much knowledge we attain, we must continue to take the time and make an effort to learn from other people no matter how “uneducated” or “insignificant” they may appear.

Actually, according to Jesus, we learn the most important lesson of life from the most uneducated individuals. He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3) NIV. 

Jesus did not say unless you change and become like bigchildren (who often think that they have all the answers).  He said “little” children because little children are incredible learners, totally dependant, transparent, and trusting.  They recognize who provides for them. They know Mommy and Daddy’s voice and can sense when they are nearby.

When we are totally dependant upon, transparent with, and trusting in God, we know that it is He who provides. We recognize the sound of His voice, and we sense His presence in our lives.

Kenny Williams, the general manager the Chicago White Sox (a professional baseball team in America), said, “People who think they have all of the answers in this game, those are the people I try to stay away from, as far away as I can.  If you ever think you know it all, it’s probably time to go and do something else.”[ii]

French philosopher and writer Voltaire advised, “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”[iii]

When we stop asking questions, is it a good indication that we think that we have all of the answers.  When we think we have all the answers, we ignore the counsel, opinions, and advice of others.

Husbands and wives are acting foolishly when they ignore or do not consult their spouse.  Bosses and managers are acting foolishly when they ignore or do not consult their employees and visa versa.  CEOs are acting foolishly when they ignore or do not consult their board members, and the list goes on and on.  Making such foolish decisions often results in loss of respect, broken relationships, and failure.

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success” (Proverbs 15:22).

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent [not acting as if he or she has all the answers], and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28).

Peter admonishes, “Be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5). The word resistsmeans, to battle against, to oppose, or to foil the plans of someone.  The proud are those who show themselves above other people, and such people do not have the favor of God.*

By remaining teachable, by asking questions and seeking the counsel of others, we can discern, disarm, and destroy pride.