Wisdom & The Better Life – Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

“Who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12)

“What do you see when you look into your future? Do you see yourself getting stronger, healthier, and happier? Is your life filled with God’s blessings, favor, and victory? You must begin to see it, if you truly hope for it to come to pass.” (Joel Osteen)

“God is in the multiplication business. It doesn’t matter what your need is today, God wants to increase you. God can make you seem bigger than you really are. He can make you look more powerful. He knows how to multiply your influence, your strength, and your talent.” (Joel Osteen)

1. Substance is better than…

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)

2. A funeral is better than…

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)

 “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

“When the church teaches a glum faith of responsibility, a faith devoid of joy; when the pulpit treats pleasure like some sort of spiritual leprosy; when people of faith speak as though they are anti-sex, anti-humor, anti-fun, anti-anything that brings pleasure, we risk fostering the kind of devotion that the Bible shockingly and without reservation rejects.” (Gary Thomas)

“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10)

“So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

3. Wounds are better than…

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6)

“A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” (Proverbs 13:1)

“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” (Proverbs 9:8)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)

“A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.” (Proverbs 15:5)

4. The narrow road is better than…

“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

5. A wide-angle view is better than…

6. Wisdom makes everything…

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)