If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. 9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. 10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. 11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. 14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! 17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. 19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. 20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter. —Ecclesiastes 10:4–20
God’s Word has much to say about risks, wisdom, and foolishness and king Solomon addressed all of this in Ecclesiastes chapter ten.
Life is filled with risks, so choose
over
.
As a leader, Solomon wanted his people to know that risk is a part of life, but they could choose wisdom or foolishness. There is nothing new under the sun! We cannot avoid risk, but we can and should choose wisdom over foolishness.
What does choosing wisdom in the face of risk look like? Solomon gives three areas that touch each of our lives that involve risk—but require wisdom.
1. Wisdom is required in
Politicians who rule for personal advantage bring disaster to the people they lead. Woe to any nation characterized by sinful entertainment, lazy self-indulgence, and the widespread abuse of alcohol and other drugs, especially among its national leaders. —Philip Ryken
2. Wisdom is required in
Through giving we can “advance the kingdom of God by supporting the ministry of a local church and its missionary work around the world. A wise person works hard to get enough money not only to pay for daily necessities but also to honor God by celebrating the good things of this world and, more importantly, by making a major investment in the work of God’s kingdom.” —Philip Ryken
3. Wisdom is required in
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. —Proverbs 18:7
The things we say will either build up or tear down—they will reveal that we have wisdom or that we are foolish. Our goal should be toour Savior who always demonstrated wisdom.
Life is filled with risks, so choose wisdom over foolishness,