Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.

How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.

Pastor Arnolds’s Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7-9; Proverbs 19-24.

Ecclesiastes 5-6 and Proverbs 13-18 offer profound insights into the nature of human existence, and the quest for meaning and fulfillment.

Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity.

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.

Pastor Laura’s Reflection on Ecclesiastes 5-6; Proverbs 13-18

Ecclesiastes 3-4 and Proverbs 7-12 offer profound reflections on the complexities of life, the pursuit of wisdom, and the quest for meaning and fulfillment.

Proverbs 12

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.

Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal.

Pastor Duane’s Reflection on Ecclesiastes 3-4; Proverbs 7-12

Ecclesiastes 1-2 and Proverbs 1-6 offer profound insights into the pursuit of wisdom, the nature of human existence, and the quest for meaning and fulfillment.

My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.

My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.

These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

In todays world, the truth is like the wind, constantly changing - here one moment and gone the next.