Vol. 20 No. 15 | April 9, 2018
Through the years I have taught classes on Ecclesiastes several times. Much to my surprise, without exception, the common response from my students has been, “Ugh, this is depressing.” In fact, I don’t ever recall a student stating they loved it or felt inspired. Maybe it’s my ability to teach, or lack thereof. Or maybe it’s the nature of the book. I suppose it makes sense when you read statements like this:
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 NIV)
Solomon, considered the wisest of all men, shared the contents of his journal describing the passions, pursuits and lessons he learned throughout his life. He arrived at this conclusion: everything is meaningless, and life is like chasing the wind.
The Message reads, “But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. Smoke and spitting into the wind. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing.” (Try using that line in your next motivational speech and it may be your last.)
We don’t want to hear that message, do we? Those of us who live in the U.S. grew up hearing a different message. We were promised if we work hard and use our talents, our dreams will come true. We will be rewarded with a great life, be the envy of our friends and neighbors and live happily ever after.
To quote the famous Dr. Phil, “How’s that working out for you?”
As Solomon discovered, the opposite is often true. Contentment and happiness are not necessarily found in doing and having the most. Having more usually only leads to wanting more.
Near the end of his life, Solomon came to another conclusion:
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
The Message conveyed is to fear God and do what He says. Period.
Many prominent voices of our time encourage us to be as powerful as possible in a similar way. Don’t just do your best−be the best. If you accumulate as much as possible and hold on to it, you will be happy.
But Jesus came with a different message. After washing His disciple’s feet, he said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17, NIV) “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NIV)
Jesus told us and showed us a different way to find a meaningful life.
It seems we have a decision to make.
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