August 25

Ecclesiastes 4, 5
2 Thessalonians 3

There are so many themes in today’s chapters of Ecclesiastes that it was hard to choose what to write about.  This verse, “As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?” reminded me of a few weeks ago when I was in my Adult Sunday School class at my church.  Someone made the comment, in the context of talking about the “stuff” we have and the stuff we want that when you look at any garbage dump in any given area, there are items in there that once were the latest and best – the brand new shiny car that someone had once saved for years to purchase, now a rusted-out hulk; the latest and best computer (16 MB!  Wow!), now discarded.  Anything we set our hearts on in this world ultimately comes to an end.  That’s why antiques are so valuable – hardly any material goods survive the wear and tear of time. 

This is not at all to say that wanting something new is wrong, nor is it ungodly to enjoy what we have been blessed with.  The writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to say, “when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.” That is the right attitude about “stuff” isn’t it?  That we enjoy what we have, recognizing that it is God’s hand that has given it to us – to accept what we have and be content with it rather than forever wanting more; understanding that our true treasure lies in heaven, “where moth and rust do not destroy” (Matthew 6:20).  Praise God!

In his closing words to the Thessalonians, Paul talks about the importance of work.  He urges the Thessalonians to keep working and not to allow any of their fellow believers to be idle.  I wonder if, in context of the previous chapter in which Paul assured them that they had not missed out on Christ’s return, if some of the believers in Thessalonica had become discouraged and stopped working – does anyone know?  Comment below.

Whatever the context, Paul makes it plain that while we are earth, we are to be busy with the work God has given us to do.  Going back to today’s reading from Ecclesiastes, the writer says, “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.”  Further, Paul says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  I am ready to work for the Lord today – how about you?