11.  Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle (Easy come, easy go), but those who gather little by little will increase it.



12.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.



13.  Those who scorn instruction will regret it, but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.



14.  The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so that one may avoid the snares of death.



15.  Good sense makes for good living, but faithless actions lead to ruin.



I am reminded of v. 14, "The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life" as I think about our recent Men's Retreat at Trinity. About 100 of us got to hear some great wisdom from three of our Trinity members, and you could tell by the conversations afterward that it was like "a tree of life." Here's what one participant wrote:



"I was inspired by the seemingly ordinary moments and decision points that God used to do extraordinary things in the lives of the speakers. I thought each speaker, through careful reflection on his own journey, distilled some real nuggets of wisdom and articulated those nuggets in humble ways that were applicable to my life. I think the home grown amazing stories of real people that have done great things with their lives are inspiring and I suspect there are many years worth of speakers at Trinity." Well said!



Will you look for opportunities today to be a "fountain of life" for others? Not by imposing your "wisdom" on them, but by being available first to listen and then to sharing insight as God gives you opportunity?