What Makes Life Meaningful?

Concluding thoughts in Ecclesiastes.

What do we think of life as we know it?
Speaking as a believer and having experienced life outside of Christ, and observing the way that other people in the world live and act.

How would we describe what life is like for us?

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes uses the word “meaningless”.
If we contemplate a meaningless life, most of us would find it a bit disturbing.
What is it then, that is meaningless to us?

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly”.
What then is an abundant life, a life that is meaningful?
The message of Ecclesiastes is one of life without God, it is a life without wisdom, a life that no matter what we have, what we know or what we experience, in itself is all vanity, (meaningless). For one day we all must die and we cannot take anything of this world with us.
Yet, to know God and experience spiritual wisdom is something very different. This wisdom does not depend on possessions, health or wealth but on a knowledge of, and a relationship with, a loving God.

This possession is without measure and can produce something that remains with us even after we die.

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

This is what gives meaning to life. To experience God’s goodness to us, knowing that all good gifts come from God and by using them in a right manner, we can store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
 

Matthew 6:19 – 21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.…

All through Ecclesiastes we have seen the Preacher searching for wisdom.
He tried communing with his own heart, to laughter and pleasure, to food and wine, to great building and varied hobbies.
He tried investment in servants, wives, and sexual pleasure.
He acquired gold and silver and was a collector of priceless peculiarities.
He tried entertainment.
In all these things, he only found meaninglessness. All is vanity.
He tried accumulating knowledge and learning, he observed the sufferings of men.
His conclusion at the end of all this was that one might as well eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die.

Yet we see that the Preacher recognises the difference between the wisdom that comes from the world, and that it is not the same as the wisdom that comes from a relationship with God.
 

We read in Ecc 2:24  There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 
 

Ecc 2:25  For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? 

Ecc 2:26  For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. 

We learn from the Preacher, what our priorities should be in life.
In chapters 11 and 12, we see Solomon, (Koheleth), drawing conclusions.

Ecclesiastes 11

1.Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.
2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.
7 Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;
8 But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.
 

Solomon the Preacher tells us in: Pro 11:24  There is one who scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 
Pro 11:25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 

Pro 28:27  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 

We can also learn from Solomon, that it is wise to listen and observe those who have gone before and have experienced things in life.
We don’t have to learn by our own experiences, we can learn from the wise through listening to their testimony.
 

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 
10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 
12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgement, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
 

Solomon tried to share his wisdom with others and wrote his many proverbs. Trying to explain in understandable words. Showing to us, that we are never too old, to help others. That our words can prick others into thoughts of God.

If Solomon were here today, he would still be cautioning people to search in the right place for wisdom.
The place to search for true wisdom, is not in the world.
To take the “L” out of the WorLd, we are left with the Word. Only in the Bible, the truth, can we find true wisdom.

Solomon’s words are based on the teachings of the true Shepherd.
Jesus is that true Shepherd. He said, “I am the good shepherd”. The Way, the Truth and the Life.
Jesus Himself said “Thy word is Truth”

What is the Preachers final conclusion in Ecclesiastes?

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgement, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
 

At the end of all things, is God. To the believer and the unbeliever, there is no escaping the fact that God is.
Those that believe on Him and His way of salvation wrought in Christ, will not enter into condemnation.
However, those that remain in unbelief and reject His way of salvation, remains in condemnation and will be judged accordingly.

A sober thought!!!

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