Wisdom in Unexpected places.

Wealth, Health and Joy ( Oh MY)
     This morning Holy Spirit took me to the verse
 “ Cast your bread upon the water and it will come back to you”
 at least that’s how I recalled it.. and I knew I had to look it up. That verse had always confused me and I never really understood what it meant so I knew I was being invited into a treasure hunt where Holy Spirit wanted to unpack scripture to me..
    Here’s some gold nuggets of powerful truth about Finances and Health and Work and Joy that God gave me this morning. From Ecclesiastes 11
The context for the above verse is investing. Financial investments specifically. Another version says it this way ‘ Send out your grain overseas for after many days you will get a return. Divide your investments among 7 or 8 investments for you don’t know what calamity may happen on Earth .”
Principle 1 Solomon, the wealthiest  and wisest guy that ever lived, had this advice,
   (My Paraphrase) you never know when something like Covid will happen. This is not doom and gloom but reality. Having multiple options in what and who and where you invest your time and attention gives you the ability to rebound financially in any situation. Keep your options open. Don’t just invest locally but overseas. ( this is what cast your bread on the waters means) Solomon was literally exporting grain overseas. It was an investment he was willing to take the risk for, because he knew diversity brings gain.
Principle 2  You don't know what is going to happen will happen but put the effort in anyways!
  Solomon said
 “If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth, and whether a tree falls to the South or to the North, the tree will land wherever it falls. He who watches will not sow, and he who observes will not reap."

   Listen, if we look or trouble we will find it and procrastinate on getting to work to bring forth a harvest. We need to sow and to reap.  This could be specific to markets or to those who are so concerned with  signs of the second coming of Christ that they forget they are here to bring in a harvest!  Start working on what God has given you to do!  Stop looking for an excuse not to put in the work. Don’t delay wondering if it will be worth it.
Principle 3 God is working behind the scenes on things you can’t see
 Solomon said it like this
“Just as you don’t know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman , so you don’t  know the work of God who made everything.”   
   You don’t know everything. God is working on things behind the scenes that you can’t begin to understand. So, you will have to operate by FAITH and TRUST  There are forces at work: God is working beyond what you can see or predict. Don’t hold back in fear based on what you can see by leaning on your own understanding!

Principle 4  Be diligent and them stop at the right times.
 “Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening”
    If you are trying to bring in a harvest ( reach your goals) put in the work, time and effort. That means getting up and starting at the beginning of your day and having a clear stop time when you’ve put in a full effort. Don’t quit early when it gets hard in the heat of the day. Don’t overwork…. Stop at the end of the day. Have a solid routine! Working during the daylight is better for our natural body systems circadian rhythm . I wonder if Solomon knew this as well.
 Principle 5   Try a variety and put in your best effort because you don’t know which one will be super successful
“for you do not know which activity  will succeed -whether this one , or that or whether they will prosper equally”
 Solomon was a man of agriculture. He knew it was hard to tell before the year had even begun which seeds would do great- which crops would love the coming weather. We are the same. We can’t’ do everything, but if you are just starting a business or ministry have a little breadth and variety until you find what is working for you.

 Principle 6 ENJOY
In the midst of all the work don’t forget to enjoy the gifts of the sunny days
“Light is sweet and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun so if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all.“
   God didn’t put you on the earth to be miserable. You have permission to enjoy the good things He is bringing you. Do you have great health? Enjoy it. Do you have a sunny day? Make sure to take advantage of it. God wants you to enjoy life!
 Everyone has tough days
        “but let him remember the days of darkness will be many- all that is about to come is obscure”
   You’re going to have tough days. Everyone has days that are frustrating because they can’t see ahead. You’re not alone in this. It’s not only you that has tough times.

Principle 7  Enjoy your health and youth, run after your dreams and fear God
 “follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes but know that God will judge your actions and motives.”
    You have permission from God to run after your dreams. Stop worrying about is this God’s will or not. Run ahead with joy into all He’s put into your heart. Just recognize that you belong to Him so whatever you do makes sure it brings Him honor.

Principle 8  Stress = pain. Don’t destroy your health with worry and anxiety

Yep ,God’s word says it pretty clear. Stress brings pain and sickness!
     “Banish emotional stress from your mind and put away pain from your body. For youth and prime of life are fleeting”
  Do you look back ten or 20 years and think boy was I young?  In 20 more years, you will be thinking that about where you are right now. Your health is important. Stress and anxiety are known to cause so very many health problems. We know scripture says laughter is like medicine.  Your body will follow your thoughts. Think and speak resurrection life and you will see it increase in your health. Think and speak anxious thoughts and sickness over yourself and you will see that increase. Take  a moment to speak life. Don’t curse yourself.  Your health is too precious to waste. Time is fleeting. Invest your energy  and thought in things that bring LIFE!

I BLESS your work. the work of your hands to PROSPER. I BLESS YOUR JOY! I bless your mindsets and THOUGHTS to bring LIFE! 

---