By REV. LUNA L. DINGAYAN

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

Wisdom in the Scriptures

Wisdom in the Scriptures is a lesson learned from observations in the natural world and from life experiences that would lead us into a good and successful life, rather than a life of evil, destruction, and death. For the Israelites, the elderly people are believed to be the fountain of wisdom in the family and community, because they are presumed to have learned a lot of lessons through various life experiences and observations in the natural world.

Interestingly, this is also true in traditional Filipino families and communities. That is why old people are regarded highly in the family and the community, even if they could no longer work physically. They serve as advisers especially in making decisions that would affect the life and future of the family and community. The elderly are highly regarded and respected unlike in the modern world wherein they are confined in the so-called homes for the aged.

Wisdom ultimate comes from God, because he is the God of nature and history. He created the world and continues to create the world and to guide the course of history. Thus, what we perceive in the world around us, and what we experience in life historically would show to us God’s very nature and character. That’s why the Book of Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

Nuggets of Wisdom from Warren Buffet’s Life

Our future as a people and as a nation is determined by what we do today. There was an hour interview on CNBC television network with Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world, who has donated $31 billion to charity. Following are some very interesting aspects of his life and some significant lessons that we could learn from him:

First of all, he bought his first share at age 11, and he now regrets that he started too late. Things were very cheap at that time. Let us encourage our children to invest.

Second, he bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers. One could have bought many things with little savings. Let us encourage our children to start some kind of business.

Third, he still lives in the same small three-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence. We should not buy more than what we really need, and let us encourage our children to do and think the same.

Fourth, he drives his car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him. We are what we are.

Fifth, he never travels by private jet, although he owns the world’s largest private jet company. Let us always think how we can accomplish things economically.

Sixth, his company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of the companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. Let us assign the right person to the right job.

Seventh, he has given his CEO’s only two rules: Rule One, Do not lose any of your shareholder’s money; and Rule Two, Do not forget Rule One. Let us set up goals and make sure people focus on them.

Eighth, he does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some popcorn and watch television. He does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer in his desk. Don’t try to show off, just be ourselves and do what we enjoy doing.

Ninth, Bill Gates, the world’s richest person met him for the first time only five years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half an hour. But when Bill Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.

Tenth, his advice to young people: Stay away from credit cards (bank loans) and invest in yourself and remember: One, money does not create a person, but it is the person who created money. Two, live your life as simple as you are. Three, do not do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good about. Four, do not go on brand name; just wear those things in which you feel comfortable. Five, do not waste your money on unnecessary things; rather just spend on them who are really in need.

And finally, after all it is your life, then why give chance to others to rule your life. The happiest people do not necessarily have the best of all. They simply appreciate what they find on their way. Let us choose the way we want to live. #