INSIGHTS INTO THE

MEANING OF LIFE

ECCLESIASTES 11:1-10

WISDOM RELATED IN BUSINESS—REJOICE IN

YOUR YOUTH

INTRODUCTION

• WISDOM now looks at the economic realm

• Life is full of uncertainties• Should a man make no

investment of himself—for fear of loss?

ECCLESIASTES 11:1,2

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven,

and also to eight, for you do not know what

evil will be on the earth."

ECCLESIASTES 11:3

“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."

ECCLESIASTES 11:4,5

“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who

regards the clouds will not reap. 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."

ECCLESIASTES 11:6

“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."

FEAR OF LOSS

• Could be referring to faith• Investment can bring back a return• Despite uncertainty must be bold

and take risks• Worthwhile to share—do not hoard• Dividing it with others brings back

great worth– Luke 6:38– 2 Corinthians 9:8– Galatians 6:9,10– Hebrews 6:10

FEAR OF LOSS

• Some actions have permanent consequences

• No one can control where the rain will fall

• One tries to anticipate everything—will do nothing—future cannot be calculated

• Careful not to procrastinate• Waiting for “ideal conditions” can

delay action• Circumstances can change - cut off

opportunity• Do the work and trust God

WORKS OF GOD

• Certain parts of God’s work defy explanation

• One cannot understand all that God does– Isaiah 55:8-11

• Just because we don’t know how the bones form—we can trust they will– Psalm 139:13-16

• God’s providence in the world is difficult to understand

• Need to do good, have faith—despite outward circumstances

UNCERTAINTY CAN PARALYZE

• Since one does not know the course of the future—what should we do?

• Give it our all and best effort• Don’t wait for tomorrow - do what

we can today• Be diligent to do our part• A guarantee of success is not

required to begin working• “If the Lord will…”

– James 4:13-15

ECCLESIASTES 11:7,8

“Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the

eyes to behold the sun; 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."

ECCLESIASTES 11:9

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the

days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your

eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you

into judgment."

ECCLESIASTES 11:10

“Therefore remove sorrow from your

heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity."

REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH

• Many of the simple pleasures of life are great blessings from God

• “Behold the sun”—great to be alive• Seeing light gives optimism • God gave us life to enjoy• Life cannot be lived in retrospect—

makes one miserable• Everyone will have adversity

“darkness” in their lives– 1 Peter 4:12,13

REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH

• God wants us to enjoy our lives when we are young—greater abilities

• Just always remember if one chooses evil—there are consequences!

• Joy and pleasure should be controlled

in light of God’s judgment!• Joys should be enjoyed—within the

boundaries set by God!• Never choose activities that are a

stumbling block for obedience

REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH

• Some things can destroy our happiness and life

• Sadness, trouble, worry• Put away pain—if possible• Childhood and youth are vanity—if

one allows evil to control their lives– 2 Corinthians 7:1– 2 Timothy 2:22

CONCLUSION

• Need to keep things in proper perspective

• Life is to be enjoyed but in the right way• We need to trust God, do our part, and

things will take care of themselves• Subject of youth will continue in chapter

12…