Wisdom’s Perspective - Eccl 7:11-18

Wisdom along with an inheritance is good and an advantage to those who see the sun. For wisdom is 1protection just as money is protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider — God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

Wisdom’s Perspective - Eccl 7:11-18

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

...on wealth (:11,12)

(LB) To be wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better. You can get anything by either wisdom or money, but being wise has many advantages.

Pro 8:35 For whoever finds [wisdom] finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord

Lk 12:15 “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”

...on life’s circumstances (:13,14)

We don’t need a template - we need wisdom

(LB) “see the way God does things and fall into line.”

...on life’s circumstances (:13,14)

Job 2:9,10 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?”

Job 1:21 ...the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

...on personal morality (:15-17)

“sorta holy” is like “sorta pregnant” - no such thing!

The evangelical prig and the deviant are tied together - both are morally reprehensible to God