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Jesus Christ changed my life when I was 15 years old. I have given my life to proclaiming Him.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Sorrow and Steaks

Start here: http://biblehub.com/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm

At times, Solomon must be venting. Why else would the one who compiled the Proverbs turn to us and say, “Living wisely is better than living foolishly, but in the end, we all end up the same.” The wise dies like the fool, there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool.

Compounding this is his assessment about his heir (v.12, 18&ff). He will work his entire life, and leave all that he has worked for, all that God has entrusted to him, to one who did not work for it, and who may squander it through foolishness. We’ve all seen that. A hardworking father who labors to build a business, a reputation, who hands it over to a son that runs it into the ground. Life is just not fair.

The wise die. The hardworking die. All we’ve worked for may evaporate, and the name will one day wear off our tomb stone… So, what are we to do?

Go have a steak.

No seriously, that is exactly what he says.

God has given you only so long to live; so live a little. That is your reward, when you sit down to a meal, when you embrace your children, when you watch a great show on TV, or read a good book, when you have a glass of tea on the porch, when you reap the fruits of your labor, thank God for what has been given by relishing in what you have; with what time you have.

Because you only have so much time left.

Postscript:
Lastly, be careful with v.26. It could easily inject you with pride, and cause you to embrace some serious errors about the value of others. One can see how this text could be contorted in support of any number of injustices. Don’t think God loves you more because you have more than someone else.


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