Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 - The advantage of having wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7 leaves us with no doubt that to have wisdom is to be preferred to folly. Whether pertaining to the issue of reputation or impression, life or death, serious correction or mere joviality, the important issue is how we view things as they happen. A good question to ask is “How should we view all the things we encounter in the journey of life?” The right way as we discovered in Ecclesiastes 7:7-10 is to look at things from a godly perspective.

No one should take a short-term view of things, but learn to view life with clear anticipation of the outcome over the long-haul. When we have the end in mind, we will be more considerate and careful with each step we take. We live life with patience and expectancy regardless of the toughness of circumstances. So, Solomon says “Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it”.

In saying that wisdom is good with an inheritance, Solomon wants to leave no uncertainty that wisdom is a priceless asset to life. It is like an inheritance one has. If we have wisdom it is certainly more advantageous for one’s life.  How so? Let’s list a few here: Wisdom will enable one to better relate to others. It provides insight on how to relate with our family members, thus building a stable home and a strong family. It provides one with insights on how to conduct our life and business wisely.  People with wisdom know how to avoid the troublesome situation and enjoy a peace of mind. Wisdom will help one to view things with a clear perspective and thereby more able to overcome obstacles and challenges of life. 

Most importantly wisdom will protect one’s soul. It helps us look at the reality of life and death and go for what will help us to maximize life. It enables us to look at life from God’s perspective, embrace Him and His plan and discern what He is doing in the world today. Verse 12 assures us that wisdom will ensure to attain spiritual vitality as we journey with God. And when our life comes to the end, we will be ushered into our eternal home. True spiritual wisdom gives us spiritual vitality as long as we live, and when it comes time for us to die, it will lead us into our everlasting life. No wonder Paul tells us to be wise and no live as fools. We must understand what the will of God is and then live them out.