I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 3:1-15 G OD ’ S P ROVIDENTIAL W ORKINGS.
I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 11:1-10 W ISDOM R ELATED IN B USINESS —R EJOICE...
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Transcript of I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 11:1-10 W ISDOM R ELATED IN B USINESS —R EJOICE...
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…