Ecclesiastes 2:1-22 teaches useful lessons. Put it in a modern context, we see the fruitless, empty ways people try to satisfy themselves, increase their self-worth and find mental and emotional peace.
1. Pleasures – whatever makes them happy—not understanding the difference between happiness and joy. Joy being Christ’s bequest Philippians 4:4. 2. Laughter – listening to comedians, watching comedies on TV or movies—kings had jesters/ fools to beguile them. Inner contentment from God’s transcending peace the spiritual counterpart. 3. Wine – alcohol—commercials always stress the camaraderie, not the effects, of drink. Many who use it want to forget…memories, low self-esteem, alienation from God. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the spiritual counterpart. 4. Projects – builders constructing, thinkers creating constructs to appease their desire to KNOW and DO…to make or create or leave behind as a monument to themselves—forgetting that a Christ-like example is our most important bequest to others. 5. Agriculture – growing living things; make diet better, offer more nutritious foods; ignoring the role of Christians in helping people grow “like weeds” in grace. 6. Slaves – substitute corporate or military leadership…the satisfaction of leading others…forgetting our greater pleasure of following Jesus, the GREAT LEADER. 7. Possessions – one of humanity’s most egregious mistakes…buying things that wear out to satisfy egos that can’t be satisfied. Neglecting the relationship with Jesus that’s so satisfying we find low-to-no-desires for things. 8. Entertainment – movies, shows, plays, baseball, football. You name it, people seek many ways to be entertained. Many churches have adopted the entertainment approach to worship: singing, skits, lights, noise. Forgetting that worship focuses on GOD, not on us. End Part I
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|