The book of Proverbs is replete with warnings and sound advice for anyone prudent enough to pay attention. No one could match the physical blessings of King Solomon, the primary writer of Proverbs, when he reigned as ruler of God's people after David. But the thing for which he is remembered most is his wisdom, not riches.

At one time in his life, Solomon viewed wisdom as the most important thing in his life. Sadly, at the end of it, he focused solely on worldly pleasure. Before surrendering to his sinful nature, Solomon left us in Proverbs a huge buffet of wit and wisdom from the heart of a man blessed by God in every way imaginable. So, what's to be learned about life from young Solomon's view point?

Drawing his analogy from work, Solomon unknowingly told us a lot about himself. When he faithfully used the wisdom and discernment God gave him, he enjoyed spiritual blessings, but when he used his position to gain worldly blessings he found that he couldn't enjoy them. Instead, the world's pleasures turned his focus away from God.

Solomon's advice in 28:19 s a lot like the parable of Matthew 13:12. Jesus said, "Whoever has will be given more, and he will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." It's amazing that some people seemingly have everything life can afford, but lack the ability to enjoy it while others live in what seems like poverty but find pleasure in the smallest things.

Are you working your land and enjoying God's abundant blessings? Or are you chasing after things you think will bring happiness, all the time missing out on what God wants to give you? The difference between work and fantasy is found in your ability to see things from God's point of view. When you see that way, you'll never want to see it from the world's view point again.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thu ( Dn. 5:1-31 2 Pt. 2:1-22 Ps. 119:113-131 Pr. 28:19-20 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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