Gifts of Heaven · Volume 3 · Chapter 500

Proverbs of true life-wisdom

2nd January 1855

[1] Tell the dear young son that I let it be said that he should think over the following sayings of the true wisdom of life with a quite joyful heart, well and more often, so his heart tremors will soon leave him forever. Yes, he is even to learn the following sayings by heart bit by bit, so that he always has them at hand when he needs them.

[2] The proverbs are as follows:

[3] My son, do not put yourself in many sorrows, for you will not gain much where you set your mind on many things. Though you strive hard for it, you will not gain it, and though you mend here and there, you will not get out.

[4] Some let it get sour and rush to wealth (material or scientific, it is the same) and only obstruct themselves by it. On the other hand many a man does so, who needs help, and is weak and poor to boot; but God looks on him in grace, and helps him out of misery, and brings him to honor, so that then many wonder at him.

[5] Everything anyway comes from God, happiness and also misfortune, life and death, poverty and wealth.

[6] God gives goods to the pious, which remain, and what he bestows remains forever.

[7] Many people scrape and saves, and thereby also becomes rich, and thinks that he has achieved something for himself and says: Now will I have a good life, and will eat and drink of my goods! But he does not know that the quick hour or his death is so near when he will have to leave everything to others who have done nothing.

[8] Remain in God's word and practice it, and persevere in your calling and do not be distracted when you see the children of the world striving for all kinds of things.

[9] Trust in God alone and remain with your state; for it is very easy for God to make a poor person spiritually or materially rich.

[10] God always blesses the pious things, and when the right time comes, they flourish.

[11] Do not say: What does it help me and what do I have in the meantime? Also do not say: I have enough, what can I lack?

[12] When you are well, remember that it is easy for you to be ill again; and when you are ill, remember that it is easy for you to be well again, you will never become exuberant and never fainthearted. For the Lord can easily repay everyone, either already in this life, and certainly in the other life beyond the grave, as a man has earned it here.

[13] Does not an evil hour make one forget all the pleasures one has enjoyed? But every man will

become fully aware only when the body is dying, how he has lived and why he has lived in the world.

[14] Think over all these good and very wise sayings, My son, with a very eager and always joyful heart, so that you will never again have to complain of any hour of lasting anxiety. And what you do good to someone in My name, I will replace you a thousand times over here and beyond.

[15] See, at times you have a quiet inclination to become famous on earth, and this inclination in itself is your enemy and sometimes torments you. Leave this, for if I will, I can make you famous overnight, so that all the world will speak of you. But what good would it do you if I have no joy in it?

[16] Therefore, only train yourself more and more in love to Me, your eternally great and holy Father, by devoting yourself to the love to your neighbor to the best of your ability and, at the same time, be of a cheerful mind, then I will also give you everything else sooner than you expect.

[17] But do not you yourself reckon hourly when it will come, but trust and be completely satisfied with it, that I always have you in mind and bear uninterrupted care [for you], then you will be cheerful and have an easy expectation of everything.

[18] This then, My dear son, to your full reassurance. Amen.