The Two Great Tests – Timothy Keller [Sermon]

Summary

Timothy Keller’s sermon argues that wisdom is formed not only through study or education, but also by learning from ordinary life—especially through two recurring experiences: prosperity and adversity. Both are spiritual tests because they reveal what is already in the heart. A person can acknowledge what is exposed and grow wiser, or deny it, make excuses, and become more self-deceived.

1. Wisdom can be learned from ordinary experience

• In Proverbs, wisdom means making sound choices at life’s “forks in the road,” including decisions about relationships and work.
• Keller uses Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple as an illustration. Though she is not especially worldly or sophisticated, she understands people because she has carefully observed familiar, everyday life.
• Common experience can teach profound truths when people are willing to examine it.

2. Prosperity and adversity are the two great tests

Keller considers Proverbs’ passages about wealth alongside those about the Lord’s discipline. Together, they suggest that a life of faith will include both success and suffering.

• Prosperity tests the heart: Success can encourage pride, self-congratulation, and the belief that one’s abilities or judgments are superior.
• Adversity tests the heart: Suffering can reveal fear, anger, selfishness, bitterness, or a lack of resilience.

Neither experience leaves a person unchanged. Each can deepen wisdom or harden the heart.

3. The tests reveal sin and idols

Prosperity and adversity expose both:

• The evil in the heart generally: People may discover they are capable of selfishness, cruelty, arrogance, or cowardice—especially when circumstances make bad behavior easy or doing the right thing costly.
• The idols of the heart particularly: An idol is something treated as the ultimate source of security, worth, or happiness in place of God.

For example, the end of a romantic relationship can bring ordinary grief. But if losing the relationship seems to destroy all meaning or the will to live, Keller says this may reveal that romance or a partner has become an ultimate source of identity and security. Success can expose similar misplaced hopes: achieving fame or wealth may show that these things cannot provide lasting fulfillment.

4. How to respond to the tests

• When things are going well, humble yourself with the gospel.

  • Resist taking all the credit for success or assuming that achievement makes you wiser than others.
  • Keller points to Proverbs’ instruction to honor God with one’s wealth rather than treating prosperity as proof of personal superiority.
  • The gospel reminds Christians that their standing before God rests on Jesus, not on their accomplishments.

• When things are going badly, affirm yourself with the gospel.

  • Do not let suffering convince you that God has abandoned or rejected you.
  • Keller interprets the “discipline” in Proverbs as pain allowed for a person’s good, not punishment meant to repay wrongdoing.
  • He acknowledges that suffering exists in a broken world, while arguing that God can use it to teach, humble, and shape those who trust in him.

• In either situation, face what is being revealed.

  • Do not rationalize, deny, or shift blame.
  • Recognize both the ordinary pain of difficult circumstances and any deeper attachment or character issue they expose.
  • Trusting God allows these experiences to produce wisdom rather than cynicism or hardness.

5. Christ is the basis for this response

Keller concludes that Jesus passed both tests: he experienced great success without becoming proud and suffered without turning away from his Father. Though sinless and not in need of punishment, Jesus bore the punishment Christians deserve. Keller presents this as the basis for trusting that suffering in a believer’s life is fatherly discipline rather than condemnation—and for learning from both success and hardship.

Speakers and sources featured

Speakers

• Timothy Keller — delivers the sermon.
• Unidentified scripture reader — reads the opening biblical passages.
• Unidentified closing voice — gives the Gospel in Life promotional message.

Sources and works cited or referenced

• The Book of Proverbs — the sermon’s main biblical source, including passages on trust, wealth, discipline, wisdom, adversity, and helping people in danger.
• James 1:9–10 — cited in connection with how people in humble circumstances and the wealthy should understand their standing.
• Romans 1 — cited regarding the danger of being given over to one’s desires.
• C. S. Lewis — referenced for the “rats in the basement” illustration and quoted on God’s love, discipline, and the work of shaping people.
• Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories — used to illustrate wisdom gained by observing ordinary human nature.
• J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings — referenced through the scene in the Houses of Healing concerning suffering and wisdom.
• Jonathan Rauch — identified in the sermon as the author of the Atlantic Monthly article “Seeing Around Corners,” cited in discussing mob behavior.
• Ray Van Leeuwen — identified as a Proverbs commentator and cited in discussing Dutch neighbors during the Nazi occupation.
• Cynthia Heimel — quoted on the disillusionment of celebrities who achieve fame.