[:en]SCRIPTURE: ECCLESIASTES 2
“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 2:11)
“For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!” (Ecclesiastes 2:16
“For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune” (Ecclesiastes 2:21)
“What does a man get for all the toil and anxious string with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23)
“A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I saee, is from the hand of God. For without him, who can eat or find enjoyment” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)
Solomon tested himself with pleasures of wine, works of houses and plants (vs. 4-6), owning of slaves (v. 7), and acquisition of wealth (v. 8. These delights brought a bit of enjoyment but at the end he realized that everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
WISDOM AND FOLLY ARE MEANINGLESS
He then compared wisdom and folly and discovered that he did not gain by being wise because both wise man and the fool will die and will no longer be remembered (vs. 15-16)
TOIL IS MEANINGLESS
Then he became cynical and hated life. He argued: “Why do I have to do all these things because when I die, I must leave everything I own to someone who comes after me and who has not worked for it. Why should I leave them for someone to control over the work which I have poured my efforts and skill under the sun? (vs. 17-23)
So, he concluded that it is better to eat and drink and find satisfaction from the hand of God. For without God, there is emptiness and no true enjoyment.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE SERMON OF REV. JEREMIAH CHEUNG FROM CBCP (Christian Bible Church of the Philippines) in Ecclesiastes 2:
Solomon tried 4 kinds of experiences to make his life meaningful:
- Pleasures (vs. 1-3, 10) – He pursued physical pleasures – drinking of wine, having women and concubines and delights of his eyes and heart. But all those self-centered pleasures are short-lived with no real joy. Instead, it results in impairment of health and broken relationships.
- Achievements (vs. 4-9, 11) – Solomon built houses, planted vineyard and all kinds of trees, made reservoirs, bought male and female slaves, owned herds and flocks, acquired men and women singers. But all that he had toiled to achieve was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
- Wisdom (vs. 12-16) – Wisdom has two values. It can be handed down to future generation to help them overcome folly. It also helps them to walk in light instead of darkness. However, although Solomon was considered as the wisest king, he realized that both folly and wisdom had the same fate. They must die and after death, they will all be forgotten.
- Wealth (vs. 17-23) – Solomon did all the toilsome labor under the sun to acquire wealth. All his days, he worked in pain and grief with unrest mind at night. Yet, he must leave all he owned to someone who comes after him and who has not worked for it. That too is meaningless.
His conclusion: Self-centered pleasure indulged in sin is never satisfying. Enjoyment should come from the blessings of God. We should not focus our work on earth alone but must work for the glory of God that has eternal value. Wisdom is important but we should pursue heavenly wisdom with the fear of the Lord as our priority. We must take good care of our possessions because He is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth. Be a good steward of God by giving offerings for His kingdom and helping the poor and needy. So, let us live our lives center on God. Let us work and take pleasure in the joy that God has given us.[:]