Recap:
As you think about the fact we’re all caught in a cycle of living, how does that make you feel?
- Entrapped because the space, although secure, is constricting and you desire to know what else is “out there” or,
- Secure, because you know what’s inside and you can move freely while being confident you’re protected from what’s “out there”.
As we ponder the endless cycle of life and ultimately how pointless it all is, I think this awakens a desire in all of us to search for meaning and significance. How do we do that? One of the most obvious is to pursue accomplishment. I think chapter 2 flows very naturally from the ponderings in chapter 1.
4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.
-Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 (NKJV)
The author (presumably Solomon) mentions in verse 1 testing his heart with mirth for the purpose of enjoying pleasure. Are we wrong for wanting to be happy? Are we wrong if we pursue pleasure? Is it wrong to gratify our flesh if we continue to guard our heart with wisdom?
Not necessarily, is the best answer I can give. We all have physical needs (food, shelter, relationship). These are not evil in and of themselves. We can’t allow ourselves use those needs as justification to sin. On the other hand, not providing for our basic needs and those of the people God has placed in our lives to care for, is likewise sinful. There should be no guilt for taking care of ourselves and others.
Should we aspire to be affluent or even wealthy? The best answer I can give is, “Perhaps…” Perhaps, what?
- Did it come about because of a ‘love of money’?
- Did it come about at the expense of other moral considerations?
- Did it come about as a result of exerting undue influence over others to achieve your goals?
- Was the attainment of affluence or wealth the sole driving value for acquiring it?
If you’ve answered (honestly) “yes” to any of the above or more than one, perhaps you should re-think your goals so you don’t become more guilty before God.
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
-Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV)
If our affluence or wealth comes about as a result of increasing skill at what we do and a habit of being wise and saving while living frugally, there’s no need for guilt. As our means to provide grows so will our results. This is simply to be expected. Over the course of time, the results will be profound if implemented steadily.
In verses 12-16 the Teacher acknowledges being wise is better than being foolish. Even though this is the case the same fate happens to both: death. So what’s the benefit of being wise as opposed to foolish if all of our wisdom will ultimately come to nothing? Why not indulge ourselves in foolishness and self-gratification?
17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
-Ecclesiastes 2:17 (NKJV)
Have you had this conversation with yourself yet? Have you begun to hate life and hate the labor in which you’re toiling under the sun because it only seems to be for the good of someone else? What are we getting for our toil? When will the burden end? Has this created sorrow in your life? Do you feel ill at ease even in the night when you should be able to sleep peacefully?
You’re not alone. I’m not making light of how you feel. Be assured, it’s all been done in ancient times before us. There’s nothing new under the sun. Perhaps you feel a little insulted at that. I hope not, but am sorry if that’s the case. Perhaps that sounded patronizing. Again, I hope not but, I am sorry if that’s the case. What’s the answer?
24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.
-Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NKJV)
Try to find a genuine sense of gratitude for the labor and accomplishment you’re involved in. Realize this labor is a gift from God and he does genuinely want us to enjoy life. Life was not meant to be an unbearable burden. Being able to produce and accomplish is a good thing. It’s part of His charge to mankind to fill the earth and subdue it. Perhaps this is easier said than done. Nonetheless, this will be worth some reflection. Please do so.
All images courtesy various artists via Pixabay.