Undivided Attention – Useful Resources is a look at the toiling we do under the sun. King Solomon had hit rock bottom at the end of his life. He realized that everything was meaningless! What advice does he offer to his reader?
A Fool Will Get Your Money
Our text fast-forwards through Solomon’s book to chapter 2 where he takes up the topic of life under the sun, the world where people work and acquire things. Solomon even takes a good example of someone who is responsible and works hard. Let’s even assume he’s humble and honest. What’s the problem after toiling at a successful career your whole life? 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? This too is meaningless. The Pharaohs in Egypt had it wrong – the first lesson Solomon learned was… you can’t take it with you, someone may lose it all.
No Appreciation
The second lesson Solomon is that I could work hard my whole life, and maybe I want to make my children’s lives better than mine was, but I have to just give it to them. Then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. It’s possible that someone can continue the family business, but many others just consume the gift like popping a bubble. The second lesson Solomon learned was… you can’t take it with you, people might not appreciate it.
You Will Kill Yourself Getting Money
Finally Solomon realizes that when you work hard there is stress that goes along with that. Isn’t the height of irony to think that people used to die of exhaustion? Their bodies just wore out from physical toil. 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. Why does the same thing happen today? We have computers and telephones and… people are still exhausted. The third lesson Solomon learned was… not only can’t you take it with you, you can kill yourself trying to get it!
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s message taken from Ecclesiastes, Undivided Attention – Useful Resources.
Book(s): Ecclesiastes
Series: Undivided Attention
Tag(s): Stewardship
Speaker(s): Fred Guldberg