Welcome to Day 2004 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom for Life – Daily Wisdom

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps. We are on trek.com/wisdom-trek-podcast/day-2004">Day 2004 of our trek. We are transitioning in the structure of Wisdom-Trek to focus on the great wisdom books of the Bible. One habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. So, beginning October 1^st, I will start publishing the reading of the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. Before that, I am reading through the book of Ecclesiastes. King Solomon, who wrote both Ecclesiastics and Proverbs, was the wisest person to live. He wrote Ecclesiastes late in his life, after trying many other paths to wisdom, and then he was brought back to the realization that God’s Wisdom is the only true wisdom. This realization is what drives me to seek out God’s wisdom each day. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Ecclesiastes 7, and I have titled this chapter:

Wisdom for Life

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. ² Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart. ³ Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. ⁴ A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. ⁵ Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. ⁶ A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. ⁷ Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart. ⁸ Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. ⁹ Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. ¹⁰ Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. ¹¹ Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. ¹² Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. ¹³ Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? ¹⁴ Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

• The Limits of Human Wisdom

¹⁵ I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. ¹⁶ So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? ¹⁷ On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? ¹⁸ Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.^{[a] 19} One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! ²⁰ Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. ²¹ Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. ²² For you know how often you yourself have cursed others. ²³ I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. ²⁴ Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. ²⁵ I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. ²⁶ I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. ²⁷ “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. ²⁸ Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! ²⁹ But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” As you ponder this chapter covering Wisdom for Life, please encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!