Read: Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 22:20-21
Solomon warns that there is no way to cover for a fool or camouflage evil. It doesn’t matter if the person is a king or a fool his nature will expose him and show if he is a fool or wise. Solomon had observed many poor men with more wisdom than some foolish and evil kings. A man’s mouth is what exposes what is in his soul.
The nation is blessed when it has a king with discretion and wisdom and is cursed when its leader is a drunken fool. He warns the people of not ever cursing the king even in their heart because he might find out and then it would not go well for that person.
Solomon advises his people to be generous with their wealth because a person will reap what he sows. He warns man against living in such fear that he doesn’t take risks and hoards all he has. It is better to always be sowing so you have many possibilities of reaping in various places.
Solomon encourages us to remember God while we are young and not wait till our bodies are wasting away before we decide to serve the Lord.
Solomon wrote many other proverbs and sayings to teach the people how to live and teach them about life and encourage them to have peace and joy. He reminds us that everything we do is known and judged by God. He concludes to fear God and keep his commandments so all will go well in the end.
In Corinthians, Paul commends the churches of Macedonia because in the midst of their hard times, they gave to the fund for the suffering church in Jerusalem. He reminded them of Jesus love and grace. He gave us heaven to come to earth and be poor so that we might have the abundance of God’s grace.
Paul encourages the church in Corinth to give of their wealth to this fund also. He reminds them of the saying, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” He was referring to the children of Israel who gathered manna every morning and had just what they needed. Though the church in Corinth had abundance, they may one day be the ones who need help.
Lord, may we remember that we are just stewards of your money. May we give as we are led to give and not hold back. You are our source of supply.