Kickin' It Early

Ecc 7:17
(17) Do not be very evil, and do not be a fool; why should you not die in your time?

There is a spiritual precept that most of us are at least aware of, and that is this: our actions have a bearing on our destiny, saved or not. The author says in so many words, "A fool can die early."

We are excluding those who do have a fore-ordained time to die, for surely some do (just ask Jesus). It could even be said that every man has a fore-ordained time to die, but also has the ability to shorten this time. I believe this is what is being addressed. How do we shorten our days?

We act foolishly. We choose foolish ways. We protect our destructive ways. Strongholds in our lives are things that we have not given to Jesus. These appear in all forms to all people, and can range from cheesecake to marijuana. Have we relinquished all territory to God? He wont just 'take' it, as He would consider that stealing. God is no thief. If a habit owns me, that is territory that I cannot give to God, because I can't give what I do not own.

I have to keep in mind that God is not going to be able to build a massive monument for Himself in my life if I have a fortified building sitting right in the center of my acreage. Pardon that analogy... It's a form of idolatry. It can shorten my life. It can hinder my ministry, too, and that means it cuts off my ability to make eternal cash. From a business sense, that's stupid.