Part 7---Ecclesiastes

Galen and I have been under the weather and also pretty busy around the house and other things that came out unexpectedly. We have been watching America's Got Talent, and I am excited that Olate Dogs won. However, all the final acts were amazing. What talent--years of hard work has finally paid off. I had a hard time picking the winner.They were all so good. Congratulations to all of them; there were no losers. Well, let's continue where we left off last time. Today we are looking at the last part of chapter 5 and chapter 6.

King Solomon again touches upon the subject of injustice in the world--the oppression of the poor by the rich. Sometimes it does happen, and even some judges, kings or presidents of countries don't protect the poor. However, ultimately everyone is accountable to God.Whatever we do here on earth will some day be judged and the proper judgement will be handed down. We just witnessed a few days ago the senseless killings of the American Ambassador to Libya and the others 3 Americans, as well as all the injured people in other Muslim countries. So many innocent people are paying with their lives. One moment they are living life and next thing you know they are gone!

Kings Solomon continues about people who love money and want more. He himself had a lot of money and he is not saying that money is not good to have, but what he is getting at is that some people are never satisfied. As man's wealth/possessions increase, also his expenses increase accordingly.That is very true. I have seen it myself with people we know. You make more money and then you move into a better house, get a nicer car, better clothes, better vacations and then you end up where you started. You obviously live more comfortably and are enjoying better things, but you are 'cash' poor. That is part of what we see today, where people loose their homes, file bankruptcies etc...They spend more than they should..I am not advocating not to strive to make more money or live a better life, in the contrary more is always better, it opens many doors. But, Solomon is talking about people who are obsessed with more (for their pride and vanity).

In the New Testament, Luke 12:16-21, Jesus is talking to his disciples and gives them an illustration:
"A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were overflowing-he couldn't get everything in. He thought about his problem and finally exclaimed: 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, then I will have room enough. I will sit back and say to myself, 'friend you have enough stored away for years to come. Now, take it easy! Wine, women and song for you!'  But God said to him: 'Fool! tonight you die. Then who will get it all?' Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in Heaven".

So, the lesson here is that we need to share with those in need and do God's will, preparing ourselves for eternity, not only focusing on earthly things. We must not worry about what to eat or drink, or wear etc..God provides those things for us. Solomon saw how the man who labors sleeps more soundly, weather he eats little or much, but the rich man worries all night about his money. He also saw that hoarding riches and not using them for purposes useful to others gives rise to disastrous consequences. Some, use their money in risky deals loosing it all, leaving nothing to their heirs. They may have money during their lifetime, but they die as a pauper. We have seen examples of that, in famous movie stars, sports figures and famous entertainers.

Both, the hoarder and the high risk taker end up the same: they leave as empty as they came, with nothing to show for all their work. They have labored for nothing!

Cecil Rhodes spent years exploiting the natural resources of South Africa. When he was about to die, he cried out in remorse:
           " I have found much in Africa. Diamonds,  gold and land are mine, but now I must leave  them
             behind. Not a thing I have gained, can be taken with me. I have not sought eternal treasures,
             therefore, I actually have nothing at all".

WOW!! Is that how we want to end our lives? With regrets? This is unfortunately how many successful people, CEOs, CFOs, Presidents of large corporations as well as ordinary people who have accumulated wealth, feel at the end of their lives. At the end, all that matters is family and good, loyal friends, and the things we do for all of God's people here on earth. The difference that we make for a better world. In the last 3 weeks we went to a couple of funerals, one died at 62, the other at 85.  Both died from cancer. All the eulogies are the same, family and friends come up and share all the good things the person did while they were alive, no one brings up any bad things they did. Some of it is true, some is a little bit embellished....nevertheless, our life is very short and we don't know when and how it will end. When I sit and listen to the eulogies, I often wonder, what the deceased would have said about themselves. Would they have been proud on how they lead their life? Would they have been ashamed or would have changed anything? We often are our worst critics.....We see ourselves differently then others do, we don't give ourselves credit, other times we portray ourselves as godly, wonderful people, when we are not....

Anyway, Solomon concludes that it is very good if a man has received wealth from God, and the good health to enjoy it (that is very important!). He writes that, to enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that, will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy. 

Life is very brief. Enjoy everyday while you can. May your everyday be filled with God's joy!
Have a great week!