Wisdom is Better

Introduction

Imagine God came to you and offered you a choice: (a) long life, (b) great wealth, (c) you’ll always win, or (d) wisdom.

Solomon chose wisdom (see 1 Kings 3).

We would tell our kids the same thing.

It’s not surprising, then, that Solomon wrote Prov 3:13-18.

But it is surprising that Solomon also wrote Eccles 7:16… Wisdom is a good thing, right?

Subject: Wisdom is a good thing… except when it’s not. Wisdom has value… except when it’s worthless.

Body (Eccles 7:1-29)

The Advantages of Wisdom (Eccles 7:11-12)

A wise person understands that since life is limited, it is precious (Eccles 7:1-2).

Exposition: How do we “take it to heart”?

Don’t waste your life!

Endless partying (Eccles 7:2)

Being a workaholic (see ch. 6, last week’s sermon)

Living in the past (Eccles 7:10)

You can’t take hold of what God has for you ahead if you can’t let go of what God had for you behind.

Instead, begin with the end in mind and live on purpose (Eccles 7:8).

Make your end better than your beginning.

Illustration: Years ago in a dorm Bible study, the leader (Jesse) asked, “What kind of person do you want to be for eternity?”

Application: Three simple priorities: love God, love people, make disciples.

A wise person understands that although adversity is unavoidable, it often produces the most growth (Eccles 7:3-6).

Exposition: Suffering matures us. Adversity grows us.

We often learn more from failure than success.

We often learn more from an honest rebuke than an empty compliment.

Illustration: Coach vs. Doting parent // lose the game // drop the pass // mentor who says, “Your attitude stinks.”

Application: We can’t control adversity, but we can choose how we respond to it (Eccles 7:8-9).

Wisdom has significant advantages (Eccles 7:11-12). It also has limitations.

The Limitations of Wisdom

Wisdom cannot change what God has established (Eccles 7:13).

Exposition

Eccles 7:14… God has established the time.

Eccles 7:15… God has established the length of your life.

Eccles 7:16-18… It’s possible to be so focused on righteousness and wisdom that you don’t enjoy life. And it’s possible to be so focused on pleasure and fun that you run into sin and foolishness. But if you fear God, you can have both righteousness and happiness.

Application: It’s okay to be happy. Fear God. Take God seriously. But don’t take yourself too seriously.

Wisdom cannot fix the problem of sin.

Exposition

Eccles 7:19-20… Stronger than ten rulers in a city, but not strong enough to overcome sin!

Deut 17:14-17… The king must not:

Acquire many horses, especially from Egypt

Acquire many wives, or they would turn his heart from the Lord

Acquire excessive amounts of silver and gold

Solomon’s disobedience

1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses imported from Egypt (1 Kings 10:26, 28)

700 wives, 300 mistresses, many of whom were foreign women who turned his heart from the Lord (1 Kings 11:1-4)

Income of 666 talents of gold per year (~ $832.5 million today), and so much silver it was as common as paving stone (1 Kings 10:14, 27)

Don’t get all holier-than-thou in your judgment of other people. Remember that you’re a sinner, too (Eccles 7:21-22).

“Don’t look down your nose at people who sin differently than you do.” —Brian Bill

Application: Solomon’s observation in Eccles 7:29…

Always asking, “How much can I get away with before I get in trouble?”

Allison stuck her fingers through the fence…

Echoed by the Apostle Paul in Rom 3:23.

The wisest thing you can do is follow Jesus.

Wisdom can’t fix the problem of sin, but Jesus broke the power of sin through the cross.

Wisdom cannot change what God has established, but look at what God has established… Why would we want to change it?

The good life is not found in the pursuit of wisdom under the sun but in following Jesus who shows us how to live by wisdom from above.

Conclusion: Praying Scripture, James 3:13-18