Ecclesiastes
10:8-10
Sharpen
Your Skills for
Success
-
- 10:8
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;
- whoever
breaks through a wall may be bitten by
a snake.
-
- 9 Whoever
quarries stones may be injured by them;
- whoever
splits logs may be endangered by them.
-
- 10 If the ax
is dull and its edge unsharpened,
- more strength
is needed but skill will bring
success.
This
is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to
change the way that we think, and the way
that we live.
Commentary
by Bob Pardue
Sharpen your
skills
You know, many of us
tackle a new job or project and get
discouraged quickly because it is not
going quite as planned.
We feel let down and
maybe a little depressed because we didn't
get the results for success we had
anticipated when we first
began.
Now we are at a
point of contemplating giving up the whole
project and calling it a failure. Don't do
it!
There is a saying I
remember that states ..
"It's always too
soon to quit."
This is not always
true but many times it is. If we look
closer at the internal workings of the job
or project, we may find small details left
undone; some that may make a huge
difference and turn the project from
failure to success!
Are you using a
dull ax?
As Solomon stated
above we may have been using a dull ax to
cut our wood.
Have you ever tried
to repair something around the house
(maybe plumbing or a cabinet door) and the
only tool you had was a pair of
pliers?
It's near impossible
to do a good job without the tools
necessary. The same is true with any
project you attempt.
So, the first step
is to get the right tools you need for the
job.
How about skills
for a successful project?
Just as you need the
right tools you also need some basic
skills and knowledge to accomplish success
in your project.
For example; Give me
every expensive tool in existence that I
would need to rebuild an automobile engine
and the best I could do would be to take
it apart. It may never go back
together again! I have no idea how
to even start rebuilding a car
engine!
So, take courses for
your job or project to go along with your
new sharpened ax.
What does this
have to do with God?
The same principle
applies to doing God's work as applies to
your personal project.
The more we study
His Word (The Bible) the more skills we
obtain to do what He has planned for us.
Our tools needed
are; The Bible, Bible study classes,
Sunday School, and attending church on a
regular basis.
And, don't forget
the most important tool ... Prayer!
Praying is our communication with God so
try praying before starting your work for
God. Along with your skills, He will give
you the power to do great things with a
small amount of knowledge.
These spiritual
tools will help produce skills that we can
use for God.
Then, and only then,
will we find true success and happiness in
life.
Love in
Christ
- Bob
If you have never made
the commitment to receive the love and
life-changing experience of Jesus Christ,
please take a moment to go
here and
take the first
steps to
salvation.
Verses are from Life Application
Study Bible: New International
Version
|
