Ecclesiastes 9:7-15 KJV — Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. [8] Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
[9] Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. [10] Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
[11] I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. [12] For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
[13] This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: [14] there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
[15] now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. [16] Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Here are 8 simple rules for living:
1. Wake up and pray:
Remember that man proposes, but God disposes. Start your day with Jesus and coffee. A drowsy man will not get the needed results. You must be awake and godly to hit the right keys that open doors. A little sleep and a little slumber bring poverty and rags.
2. Bath and dress up nicely for the day
Bath and dress well to every occasion; men will also look on the outward, though God looks at the heart. Let not your head lack ointment; and your clothes must always be festive. Sometimes, people will pay you based on what you look, and not what you are worth.
3. Eat well if you want to live well
The secret to a great life is paying attention to what you eat. Remember, non-communicable diseases in a long while have been the number one killer in the world. Even during the 2019-2020 COVID-19 pandemic, non-communicable diseases claimed more lives. Please eat well if you want to live well. Eating well simply means eat for strength and not for pleasure.
4. Live joyfully with the wife of your youth.
It is important to understand that love is a commandment but relationship is a choice; hence the need to live joyfully and in harmony with your spouse. The mistake many of us make is that we choose people based on their best, when we should rather choose people based on their weaknesses.
Anybody can live and enjoy the best in people but not everybody can endure the worst in every one of us. There is no perfect spouse on earth; those who go far; choose spouses who have weaknesses they can endure.
5. Do whatever your hands have found to do diligently
While you wait for what you want to do. More often than not, you have to do what you have to do, to be able to do what you want to do. You may not like the discipline of getting formal education, but if you want the freedom to do what you want to do, you have to submit to doing things you do enjoy doing. You may be working in retail now, do it diligently; your brighter tomorrow is coming.
6. Live ready and not get ready
The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong; it is time and chance that happens to men. It is better to prepare for an opportunity and not have it, than to have an opportunity you didn’t prepare for. You must be in constant preparation.
7. Help others if you can
We all have a Samaritan duty towards others. Take your Samaritan duties seriously. Others may not acknowledge your effort but you would have paid it forward.
8. Though, wisdom is better than strength; make a little money
A poor man’s wisdom is despised. You must work hard and trust God to bless you. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes you rich; your work is only one of the channels.
Stay blessed
Simpe Bediako 