Today we will read Ecclesiastes 10: 8-20:

8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
    and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them,
    and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt and one does not whet the edge,
    then more strength must be exerted,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage in a charmer.
12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor,
    but the lips of fools consume them.
13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness,
    and their talk ends in wicked madness,
14 yet fools talk on and on.
    No one knows what is to happen,
    and who can tell anyone what the future holds?
15 The toil of fools wears them out,
    for they do not even know the way to town.
16 Alas for you, O land, when your king is a child
    and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman,
    and your princes feast at the proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
    and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Feasts are made for laughter,
    wine gladdens life,
    and money meets every need.
20 Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts,
    or curse the rich, even in your bedroom,
for a bird of the air may carry your voice,
    or some winged creature tell the matter.

Today’s passage continues where we were yesterday with a “Proverbs” feel to it.  I really the beginning of this passage. Whoever digs a pit will fall in.  The toil of fools wears them out.  This passage gives us some insight into cause and effect. 

If you do something harmful, don’t be surprised if you are harmed by it. 

If you do something hurtful to someone else, don’t be surprised if they are hurt by it and then may seek to hurt you.  

Our actions have consequences.  If we do destructive things, destructive things will happen. That’s the way that works.  There is a cause and effect to it. 

So, within that, let’s try to act with grace towards others, and towards ourselves, today.  If we sow hurt, we will reap hurt.  If we sow harm, we will reap harm.  If we sow pain, we will reap pain. That’s cause and effect. 

But if we sow grace.  Or joy.  Or peace.  Or love. Or kindness.  We will reap as well.  That’s the way this works.  So today, let’s live our grace to others. And we know, that when we live lives of grace, we will find that same grace, all throughout our lives.  

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