In Ecclesiastes, chapter seven, verses eight through fourteen, “Better is the end “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.”
“For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Solomon calls for persevering toward God-given goals, as in Philippians three, verses thirteen to fourteen, “
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” while accepting the path God provides, whether it seems rough or smooth. By acknowledging that God is at work in us, we can rejoice in prosperity and learn to trust in adversity. Like the apostle Paul, we must learn to be content whether living in plenty or in want, as in Philippians four, verse twelve, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”