Wisdom is Better than Folly (Ecc 7:1–14)

In life’s frustrating and confusing mystery, it may seem worthless to live a godly life. However, Solomon lays out in a beautiful poem the superiority of godly living.
A good reputation gained by godly living is better than material wealth earned apart from it. A life well lived is better than unrealized and uncertain potential (7:1). A funeral is better than a party, because it helps us think about the seriousness of life (7:2). Solemn thought is more profitable than comedy, because true happiness is deeper than a quick laugh (7:3). The wise person is characterized by serious and grave thinking, while the foolish, ungodly person is interested only in fun and laughter (7:4). The rebuke of a wise man is of greater worth than the empty jokes and songs of fools (7:5–6). Extortion or dishonest gain perverts an otherwise good man and corrupts his heart (7:7).
It is better to finish a project than to start another one, because patient endurance is better than boastful pride (7:8). Forbearance and patience are better than the quick temper of a fool (7:9). Constant reflection and yearning for “the good ol’ days” is a waste of time (7:10); rather, one should live wisely today in order to leave an inheritance of wisdom to one’s children (7:11). Money offers financial security but the reward of godly living is eternal life (7:12).
A godly person realizes that God alone is Sovereign, and that he, as a human being, is subject to God (7:13). God sends blessing and God also sends difficulty— both are from him (7:14).
As young people, it is easy for you not to think about eternity or serious things, but the Bible says we would do well to think about the end of our lives, and not just the here and now. What value will what you are involved in now be in a year? What kind of “fruit” will it bear in a year? In five years? In ten years? Twenty?