Today you should read: Ecclesiastes 6
In Ecclesiastes 6 – Solomon continues to make his case that life without God is meaningless. He uses several illustrations:
People who acquire great wealth and honor – everything they could ever want – but they die early and a stranger ends up enjoying everything. Wealth without God is meaningless. (v.1-2)
A man has many children (100 of them!) and he lives to be old – but when he dies his children don’t honor him. Family without God is meaningless. (v.3-4)
A man could live to be 1,000 years twice over – but still not find contentment. Life without God is meaningless. (v.6)
Everyone spends their life trying to provide for themselves – the wise and foolish alike. Wisdom with God is meaningless. (v.7-8)
Solomon teaches us several critical wise principles:
Enjoy what you have rather than desire what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless – like chasing the wind. (v.9) This reminds me of the teaching in the New Testament found in 1 Timothy 6:6. True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
Solomon wraps up the chapter saying:
Our lives are like a shadow. Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone? (v.12)
Reminds me of the words in James 4:13-14:
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
- What are you chasing that is meaningless?
- What are some ways you try and live without God?
- How can you make the most of today?
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
