Volume 44   Number 11                                                                                     July 2002

In his latter days, Solomon recalled his former deeds:

“I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 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. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 2:4-9).

God looked upon His work of six days, and observed that it was very good (Genesis 1:21). Solomon looked upon his life’s work, and perceived that it was but “vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). “I hated life,” he said, “because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind...I hated all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun...” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-18). Concerning earthly endeavors, in general, the wise man concluded: “‘Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless’” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). It is a meaningful message plainly put. Few activities and/or accomplishments possess any eternal significance, and little of what “life has to offer”offers anything at all of lasting value.

Scripture teaches us that someday “...the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). It also teaches that “the things done in the body...whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:11) will not be burned up, but will be brought to bear on our eternal destinies. Clearly, then, our activities and accomplishments must be consistent with our confession, namely, that we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). We are campers, and campers don’t put as much money or material toward their campgrounds as they do their homes.

We must expend effort in meaningful ways. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Time is ticking. Moment by moment, our lives are passing away. Daily we are dying. Judgment draws nigh. What have we done, and what are we doing, with the time? The world beckons and begs us to fritter it away in fruitless pursuits that will bring passing pleasure, but eventual emptiness. They and their god long to see us major in the minor, and immerse ourselves in the thick of thin things that will bring no joy to our meeting with the Maker. Will we resist their summons?

Jesus said that “...whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated” (Matthew 15:17), yet Solomon found that “All the labor of man is for his mouth...” (Ecclesiastes 6:7). Man allows his abilities, his energies, his resources and his time to be consumed with the inconsequential, with works destined for destruction. And, of course, after his labors finds that “...the soul is not satisfied” (Ecclesiastes 6:7). As the man who yearns for a hearty supper only hours after a plentiful lunch, so is mankind’s search for satisfaction.

This ought not be with the people of God. Beware, lest any of us be found to have let the soul starve. Beware, lest we be found to have wrapped our talents in napkins, and buried them, refusing to accept the responsibility of responding to our abilities. Let us consider our ways, and examine ourselves as to whether we are indeed good and faithful servants. It may be that we have grown comfortable with complacency, accustomed to apathy, and have forgotten what it is to live with eternal purpose.

Having been made in the image of God, we are trinities—spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Only a third of our being is temporal. The greater part of our person is, and yearns for, the spiritual, the eternal, the transcendent. Let us then, set our hearts on these things. Only by so doing will the meaning of life become clear, and our lives meaningful. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3).

Living a life of this sort may require correcting some bad behavior, however. It will mean making an extra dollar will no longer keep you from making meetings of the church. It will mean that reading a good book will no longer take precedent over reading the Good Book. And, it will mean that teaching your child to love sports and other activities will from now on play second to teaching him/her to love the Lord. In short, it will mean seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It won’t be the easiest life, but it will be a life of meaning, filled with actions possessing eternal significance, preparing you for a place of eternal security.