by Walt Brock

Stay teachable.
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. Ecclesiastes 4:13

Make sure your vision matches God’s.
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. Ecclesiastes 5:7

Waiting is hard on pride.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8

God controls the timing of a purpose.
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? Ecclesiastes 8:6–7

Failure to act promptly encourages wrong behavior.
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11

Bark if you can’t roar.
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4

Today affects tomorrow—big time.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Make prudence a priority.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes 10:1

Hedges help.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. Ecclesiastes 10:8–9

Can’t never did do anything.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

Think eternally.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Accountability is certain.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14