Heralds Digest

  “ For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 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 .” Ecclesiastes 7 : 12 - 14 KJV The greatest discovery on earth is the work of redemption from sin and slavery unto repentance and righteousness, etched by the work of grace on the cross of Calvary. Right after the fall of man, those who have found grace have had to lay down their arrogance and pride to embrace the finished work of grace. While it is God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense, man has always struggled to obtain human morality through the works of the flesh, like the accumulation of wealth, attainment of political positions, and intelligent display of authority and privilege; but...

  “ Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” Ecclesiastes 7 : 7 , 12 NKJV Knowledge is power, irrespective of the power in focus among the following ascending orders (1) material power; (2) mental power; and (3) inspirational power. While the base knowledge for material power increases wealth, riches, and fame, it readily disposes of its occupiers of decency and decorum, leading the heart into recklessness and insensitivity to the plights of the poor. Likewise, the higher order knowledge for mental power increases wisdom and the intelligence of its occupiers for defense against injustice and oppression. Unfortunately, without the knowledge of God and access to His righteousness, both the material and mental power become a trap for the occupiers’ distraction and destruction. The preacher’s declaration that “ the exce...

  “ Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes .”” Ecclesiastes 7 : 29 NKJV Without any doubt, Solomon was uniquely blessed by God with the combination of wealth-measured success and knowledge-driven distinction. Therefore, he is qualified to declare the vanity of both metrics of success. In either of the different schemes towards excellence and distinction in life, human findings outside God have always lead every man into foolishness (Solomon inclusive). Like Solomon, life can present either the pursuit of material prosperity or the attainment of intellectual sagacity with its consequences of proud disposition and disobedience to the Creator. Little wonder, we have experienced dissatisfaction and emptiness in the accumulation of all these resources, which were originally created for full enjoyment of man. This is because the full findings in life are primarily focused on knowing God and His purpose for our existence. It impl...

“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit....For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:8, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.7.8,12.nkjv An affluent beginning is capable of denying the unwise the unique privilege of a prudent planning for the future. Likewise, the unwise deficient may not accept the responsibility of ceasing the opportunity in the future, while blaming others for the prevailing predicament. Meanwhile, God is interested in the capacity building of good character through an adequate application of wisdom gathered from all experiences in life. No matter the prevailing predicaments in believers' career, family, and economic life, the wise question can never be " why are these happening? ", but rather " how can these be helpful? ". With patience and perseverance, there is always...