Wise in Prosperity and Adversity – Ecc 7:1-14
The wise person is able to process and handle all that God brings into their life, whether it be prosperity or adversity. As Ecclesiastes 4:14 says, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.”
God brings a mixture of suffering and blessing int our lives to teach us. If we are wise, we will be able to handle and learn from both.
- 7:1-6 – We won’t get deceived by feasting, laughter and partying. Instead we will realise there is much to be learned from considering our own mortality and hanging out with those who are mourning and hurting.
- 7:7-10 We will also beware of various dangers that can come in times of adversity and prosperity. We can give in to oppression and bribes (v.7). We can become impatient and proud (v.8), angry in our spirit (v.9) and ungrateful, always longing for the good old days (v.10).
- 7:11-12 We also need to understand that there is nothing inherent wrong with blessings and having money as long as we have wisdom along with such blessings.
The main lesson for us is that no matter whether we are going through time of prosperity or adversity that we keep our hearts and minds fixed on the Lord. That we consider Him and who He is (‘Consider the work of God’ – v.13). We cannot and should not try to correct Him or criticise His handling of our affairs. He is God and He is in control. We need to just trust Him and live according to His wisdom.