Proverbs 21:11 - "When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed." This is spelled out real clearly in the "The Message" version of the Bible - "Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening."

As I began to grow into an adult, I became a graduate of "Burn and Learn Academy". I would do things on my own, without seeking God's wisdom from His Word (the Bible), and I would almost always suffer the consequences of doing things my way.

With God, there are always blessings for doing things His way, or consequences for doing them ours.

When we seek out God's wisdom...His instructions from the manual that He has provided (The Bible), we are rewarded...here and now for trusting Him to lead, guide and direct our paths.

Doing things our way is covered in Proverbs 13:15 - "The way of transgressors is hard". I guess it can't get any plainer than that!

God wants the very best for His children...those who have trusted His Son, Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Solomon, the wisest man ever to live, said, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" - Proverbs 1:7.

Therefore, one would be classified as a "fool" when they fail to seek Godly wisdom and Godly instruction, and lean on their own understanding of how things should be accomplished concerning life.

Proverbs 8:10 - God tells us, "Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold."

If we do receive God's instructions from His Instruction Manual - The Bible, we would be able to raise our children correctly...with both love and discipline. We would not see a single divorce among Christians because His manual tells each of us to esteem the other greater than we do ourselves...and for each to love the other. Love is a verb. God's manual gives us instructions on how to treat our fellow man, and how to prosper greatly...and how to endure bad times when they come.

Solomon rather summed things up in Proverbs 3:5-6 when he said, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

So, whenever we decide to believe and trust in God's Instruction Manual...that is when we get to see God's blessings upon our lives.

It took me only 65 years to figure all of this out. How long will it take you to take God at His Word? I have learned to follow God's Instruction Manual BEFORE making decisions. His instructions are truly better than having silver or gold.