I'm not exactly old yet nor wise. Though I do know that if all I strive for is from my own two hands ... it is worthless. My life can be taken from me by anyone who wishes it. All that I own can be taken as well. Family, children, money, possessions, everything WILL be lost in time. We may imagine that we could fight to keep it. But, it all will taken away from you.
In your life there is only one constant. God.
If He blesses you with a moment of happiness. Be happy in it. If you need to morn. Morn. Turn to God and deal with what is placed before you.
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
We may like to point out that today we can count the stars. We can measure the sands of the seas. We are so smart. And all the Bible stuff is just old stuff that came before man got really smart.
But, from the beginning of time until the end of everything, we will never know the way the spirit comes to the child within the mother. Never.
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
There is to much of a good thing. Did you know drinking to much water will kill you? It takes a lot and you have to drink it in a short amount of time. But, it can kill you.
Moderation is an important virtue that God wants us to have. Know what is enough and only go there. If you have more ... give it to those with less. Then you don't have to worry about vomiting the honey back up.
Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
Having wealth and ease is probably the smoothest way to Hell. For you imagine yourself as almost a god who is in charge of their life. How stupid ... and yet how common in our day and age.
It is good to pray so as to not get wealth. And if you aren't rich, be happy in that. Just work hard for the LORD.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Don't give because you "have to". Give because it is the right thing.
Having enough money set aside isn't the goal. Living for God is. Having extra money on the side can tempt you to imagine that you are in control of your life. To plan it all out with your own mind. To work it all out with your hands. If you have an abundance it isn't a sin. Be happy with what God have given you and share generously.
But watch for the idol called Money. For those with much begin to worship it for the control it falsely promises. And those with little worship it for the hope it falsely promises. So solve both problems with one act. If you have much ... help the one with little. Prove that God is the LORD and money is not.
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
That is one of the more practical statements. Did you know many of the people who win the lottery just end up bankrupt in a few years after then win? This is true no only for money, but for many things in our life. If you haven't worked for something ... you really don't understand it.
Imagine the difference between two men who both own large homes. One man takes out a loan and purchases the largest house he can afford. One man works hard and builds it with his own hands. Which one will be the better home owner in the years to come?
Work for what you have. If you have the money to get stuff or the time. Don't take the easy way, rather work hard for what God has given you.
Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
You don't get by with the little wrongs. They aren't little sins ... they are an abomination to the LORD.
We go back to the store when they make a one dollar mistake against us. Do you go back when it is in your favor? When you put in your pocket what isn't yours that sick feeling in your stomach is the LORD letting you know it is wrong.
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means.
One sure way to not be tempted by money is to give it away.
Don't spend it on yourself. Not on things that will waste away. Not on clothes you don't need. Homes that are to large. Cars that are for show.
Give it away.
Buy up that which will never waste. Clothe the naked. Feed the hungry. Comfort the weary. Visit those in prison. Give what you have away.
And when you give it away you lose the burden of the temptation. For how can there be temptation when you give it no opportunity?
A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
"Know what I mean ... Huh Huh ... wink wink nudge nudge ... Huh Huh ... Know what I mean?" That may be a from a comedy skit, but we all know (or are) the worthless person described in Proverbs above. Another good example are the political comedians on TV.
If it rather is speaking of you ... Stop. You will be broken by your own actions.
If you are friends with them ... don't laugh along with them and enable their perverted heart. Try to correct them and be an example to lead them back to God.
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you. ... The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
Wit in the mouth of an evil man is very dangerous and painful. It is difficult to correct them because of their quick and bloody tongue. It will cut you and invite abuse upon your actions. If you reprove them they will hate you, and they will try to get even.
They are loud and make people laugh at their hate and evil. Wit if very seductive even when backed by nothing. The scoffer is an empty grave quickly running to fill it with their own hatred.
The only advise I can give you is to let them starve for attention. Understand that they may have a "golden tongue" ... but it speaks nothing.
