Wisdom Of The Teacher For College Students, Ch. 7Sample

We sometimes think our generation invented oppression. Or at least we are the ones most affected by either being the oppressor or by being oppressed. Here in our verses for the day, the Teacher reminds us that even the wise man can be corrupted by bribes and participate in the oppression of others. The desire to gain at any cost is always problematic.

Verses 8-9 point us to the truth that you don’t really know the end of something until it’s complete. So therefore, we would be wise to wait to get angry until we know all the facts. Perhaps that has never been more insightful than the day in which we find ourselves with the advent of social media news platforms. It seems folks want to be first to re-post something and first to be angry about it without giving it time to reach the end and for all the facts to be known. It’s amazing that an old book would have such current instruction!

Ah, the good ole days! The Teacher admonishes us to not look back and glorify the days that are past. It is not wise to live in the past and thus miss the moment in which we find ourselves. The past wasn’t always so good, and longing for something that has passed is a waste of the day! So be wise and take full advantage of this day!

What we should long for are both wisdom and wealth. Each of these provides a degree of protection independent of each other. However, when you combine the two you are really in a place of strength. So, seize the day without being seized by either the past or the love of money. Use your wisdom to help you be wise with your wealth and leverage both to make a legacy.