Proverbs 1:5
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Most projects at my house start with the same ill-advised question, “Well how hard can that be?” My project confidence gets bolstered (or tempted) due to 24/7 access to an on-call global construction knowledge base of advisors and project wingman. Some call this YouTube. I call it "My Crew." Tons of guys a click away willing to show how to make things solid, straight, fortified and aesthetically acceptable. They’ve taught me well. In fact, I believe YouTube is an unintended sponsor of a good many parts of my home and landscape remodeling projects. Built by YouTube. I have the coffee tables and rock walls to prove it.
Solomon knew that for men to operate and succeed inside the complex mechanisms we encounter (the world, marriage, the Kingdom, other people), they would need to be dedicated to the idea of “hearing and increasing.” These two notions are the first required steps prior to being able to put learning into practice via guidance. To move forward, one must first be teachable and inclined to increasing. It is what the wise man does.
‘A boat must forge ahead, or it will be swept downstream.” Ancient Chinese Proverb.
The challenge with increasing and learning is it requires us to admit we do not already know something. Men do not like to be viewed as not knowing. To learn, we must endure the uncomfortable nature of the figuring out part. Showing up to a bible study, asking a brother a question, or raising your hand when we don't know. It takes some confidence and commitment to move forward into the unknown for the purpose of transitioning that which we don’t know into something with kingdom utility. We take on the rigor of learning for Kingdom purposes.
There is some good news, just being willing to learn (teachable) is in itself an increase. If you are teachable, you’ve already increased and we are called to increase.