Does earthly wisdom matter to God?
No. According to Paul, it does not matter how much earthly wisdom a person has; only the wisdom that comes from God makes anyone something God can use. Earthly wisdom is set apart from God's wisdom and cannot accomplish what God's wisdom does.
Les explains that the main theme of 1 Corinthians is wisdom—the wisdom of God set apart from the wisdom of men. He notes that Paul stresses it doesn't matter how much earthly wisdom we have; only the wisdom from God makes us something God can use. In man's eyes, God seems foolish for saving a person from the most utter, gutter-type existence and making him a saint, but that is the power of preaching Christ crucified. Les also illustrates that we never know what God will use, as with the old man who asked for the plan of salvation before he died.