There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; … More Enjoy the Giver, not just His gifts
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or … More Satisfaction of the Rich and Famous?
Solomon now turns from a beautiful section (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15) about God making everything beautiful in its time, taking pleasure in God’s gifts to us, thanking and fearing our sovereign God… to the section which is our focus for today, verses 16-22. Solomon’s brief interlude into a vertical perspective quickly ends and he turns his attention back to … More Don’t forget the vertical perspective
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24b-25 RSV) Ray Stedman comments, in a message, “Life in the Fast Lane” That is his second declaration, and that is the true message of this book. Enjoyment is a gift of … More Enjoyment is a gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. Solomon was searching. Searching for lasting satisfaction but pursuing it in all the wrong places. He became like a new freshman on a college campus, trying out everything. He became the ultimate … More The Pleasure Test
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a … More God is not an option, He is a necessity
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm … More God at the center of the three cords
The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. —Ecclesiastes 10:12 We probably all know foolish people who use many words. I know a few wise people who use many words and are discerning and articulate. Using many words is not necessarily an indicator of one’s … More Wise Words
ECCLESIASTES 9:13–16 Joe Guglielmo, commentary on Ecclesiastes: Back in 1925 the Italian Freighter, Ignazio Florio, was sinking in the Atlantic Ocean. To the rescue came the United States Liner, President Harding. But the sea was too rough and the ship was in such distress that they could not get a line aboard her. Thus, the … More Unsung Hero: The ROCKS Will Cry Out!
Carrollton, Kentucky, was the site of one of the most deadly bus disasters in United States history. About 11:00 p.m. on Saturday May 14, 1988, Larry Mahoney, a drunk driver in a pickup truck was traveling in the wrong direction on an interstate highway. He collided head-on with a church youth group returning from a day at a theme park in their converted … More It will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.
