Life Lessons in Ecclesiastes

The Book of Ecclesiastes encourages the reader to live a godly life. Futility and meaninglessness describe the life lived apart from God. When we lose our focus on God, all of the effort, toil, energy, and thought we put into our work on earth is compared to “grasping for the wind.” Meaning and fulfillment are found in a life lived in faithfulness and integrity toward God and others.

• Seek to please the Lord and honor Him in your work. As you do, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy.
• Endeavor to enjoy life and the work you do.
• Avoid quick and angry responses. Do not make rash decisions. It is better to be patient than proud.
• Live your life for the Lord. Enjoy your work, enjoy your spouse, and do everything you undertake with all of your strength.
• Fear the Lord, and obey Him. It is not enough just to know about God—to write or read about Him—we must know Him and follow Him. This is the goal, the greatest achievement, and the fulfillment of a person.

Ecclesiastes speaks clearly to the culture of our day. While experiencing every conceivable pleasure and earnestly pursuing and achieving unprecedented success and wealth, “the Preacher” concludes that life is meaningless. Not until the end of his journey to find meaning in life does he realize the answer that he seeks lies simply in devotion to God and obedience to His ways. A life of meaning, purpose, great joy, and fulfillment can be ours if we will devote our lives to the Lord and follow Him all of our days.

• Learn from these verses: unrestrained lust and desire for pleasure, wealth, success and self gratification will not satisfy you. In the end, they leave you depressed, empty, and hopeless.
• Be vitally connected to God; that is the answer to every longing for fulfillment and meaning.
• Recognize that no amount of silver or increasing abundance will ever satisfy the human soul.
• We are uniquely created to worship God alone; nothing else can truly bring lasting peace and satisfaction.
• Hear the conclusion of the matter: after Solomon had tried every possible experience that the world said would bring happiness, he found it all to be futile and pointless. Devote yourself to God, who alone gives true meaning to life.

It is out of God’s deep love and care for us that He calls us to live holy lives. True freedom is found in holiness; for when we willfully practice sin, we become its slave, unable to break free in our own strength from its bondage.

• Run from evil and sin. Our inability to break free from bondage to sin is likened to our inability to overcome physical death. Know that in Jesus Christ, both sin and death have been defeated (Rom. 6:11–23).
• Carry out necessary discipline of bad behaviour promptly. Understand that to delay loving discipline only encourages and reinforces negative behavior.

Part of the growth process in our walk of faith is learning to live wisely.

Ecclesiastes teaches that we are living wisely when we know God and seek to honor Him in all that we do. Faithfilled living involves learning to make wise choices, choosing those things that glorify God and have lasting and eternal value.

• Understand that wisdom is only a means to an end. Wisdom is not the ultimate goal; but God is our goal, and wisdom is a means of knowing Him and walking in His ways. Solomon found that earthly wisdom apart from God cannot fix what is broken or supply what is lacking; but with Christ, the wisdom of God, all things are possible (1 Cor. 1:24).
• Find a job you can enjoy and do with a thankful heart. Staying busy with the things that bring joy to your heart is a gift from the Lord.
• Understand that to work so hard that you cannot enjoy the fruit of your labor is meaningless.
• Ask God to bring a healthy balance into your life.
• Guard your heart, your speech, and your conduct.
• Even a seemingly small foolish act can taint your good reputation.

We are to revere GOD as the creator who works everything perfectly after the counsel of HIS own will

• believe that everything GOD does is perfect
• establish your relationship with GOD while you are young, before the evils of life harden your heart

One message in ecclesiastes comes through loud and clear. Walk gently and humbly before the LORD. GOD is in heaven and you on earth. The more we know about GOD the more humble we will be. The humble person recognizes his own limitations and accepts them

• accept and recognize that human understanding of history is partial and distorted.
• Know that the facts mankind has forgotten could change your perspective entirely
• Accept your limitations.
• Know that you can not comprehend eternity
• Learn to accept GOD’s perfect timing
• Understand that the pursuit of personal ambition is vain and futile
• Be mindful of your mortality.
• Let bereavement bring you times of sober self assessment

Being a righteous steward of worldly wealth flows out of a godly perspective with regard to money. Money is a servant to utilize not a god to serve. One’s motives in acquiring and using money are the determining factors

• Consider and understand that wealth is intrinsically elusive
• Understand that wealth is by its very nature deceptive
• Know the difference between wealth that has been sought and wealth that has come from the hand of GOD
• Understand that the latter has no curse associated with it

The wise person understands that to wilfully practice sin is to become its slave and to delay in dealing with sin appropriately is to promote it

• Understand that you are the slave of any wickedness that you practice
• Carry out any discipline you determine is necessary without delay because delay may foster wrong doing

When we speak we must be aware that the LORD hears every word we say. Presumptions speech displeases the LORD and can bring discipline

• Be quick to listen and slow to speak
• Cultivate humility and learn to walk softly before the LORD
• Do not speak presumptuously of spiritual commitment or endeavour.
• Cultivate reverence for the LORD