Ecclesiastes part 5
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration 5th October 1997
The Wise and Productive Life Seems Futile
(Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 NIV) {14} The wise man has eyes in his head,
while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the
same fate overtakes them both..{16} 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! .. {18} I hated all the
things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to
the one who comes after me. {19} And who knows whether he will be a
wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into
which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is
meaningless. ... {24} A man can do nothing better than to eat and
drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the
hand of God, {25} for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
{26} To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and
happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and
storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This
too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Many people refuse to study or work hard because like Solomon they
see it as bitter and disappointing. The learned man knows more and
is a guide to others but the grave awaits him just as it does the
fool. The productive man cannot take the fruit of his work with him.
While the wise and productive life is better than the hedonism that
we saw yesterday it seems to be brought to nothing by death. In the
end being wise and working hard is for nothing. So why bother at all?
This is a most bitter thing. Wisdom and achievment without God are
meaningless in the end.
However in the Kingdom wisdom and productivity can bring forth great
treasures. The productive, wise diligent stewards are highly
honoured. (Matthew 25:20-21 NRSV) Then the one who had received the
five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying,
'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five
more talents.' {21} His master said to him, 'Well done, good and
trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will
put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
When wisdom and productivity are directed into the Kingdom they reap
eternal benefits. The work of the gospel is to be done with all
diligence and is often "a toilsome labour" that will be rewarded in
some measure now but also in the resurrection. Note the language or
arduous labour that Paul uses...(2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV) I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8}
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only
to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Wisdom and productivity are good things; not because they make us
rich on earth - for those riches are lost when we die. They are good
because they make us rich in heaven. (Note: I'm not talking about
salvation by works, that's different see Eph 2:8-10, 2 Cor 5:10) Lets
direct our knowledge and wisdom and energy into the Kingdom as God
directs. Then we will find meaning and true reward in all we do.
Lets see what the angel said to Daniel: (Daniel 12:2-3 NRSV) Many
of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. {3}
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and
ever." Wisdom and productivity in Christ bring us into the joy of our
master and into a glorious eternal reward.
Prayer:
Lord there must be something more than this grind, to live and work
and die a spent force exhausted. To see wisdom gained and yet produce
no gain in me as death steals the fruit of the years. Lord may I not
invest myself in folly and in vanity. May my wisdom and strength,
though small, build eternal things for You. Give me the heart of a
good steward who works hard and long and wisely and well for You so
that in the resurrection I may receive a crown. Amen.
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