FROM DUST TO DUST - "Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?"
Let's face it. One day we're all going to die! And when that day comes, what we believe regarding heaven and hell will be irrelevant because reality will have replaced theory and our fate of impending judgment will commence. Where we go when we die is a topic of great interest to most people. Many religions speak of afterlife with varying degrees of requirements associated with them, while other schools of thought debunk the idea of immortality altogether. The most important thing we must consider is what the Bible clearly states, so that we would not be misguided or misinformed regarding what we believe as Christians. Within this passage of Ecclesiastes, Solomon paints an interesting correlation between man and beast, declaring that both share the same fate. All will return to the dust from which they were formed due to their mortality. But as Christians, we believe our soul differentiates us from all creation and offers the opportunity to cross over from mortality to immortality if we choose to accept the terms and conditions ordained by God for our salvation. It is not a complicated equation. Jesus simply proclaims, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Therefore, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Romans 10:9-10).
Those who confess their sins and accept Christ as Lord and Savior are assured salvation when they die. Those who reject Christ are judged for their pride and unbelief, and cast into eternal hell. Unfortunately, the Bible does not offer a grey option, only black and white. Works cannot save us, other religions do not provide equal and alternative routes to heaven, and fantastical theories such as reincarnation and purgatory do not offer second chances or intermediary states of cleansing or purification before entering heaven. The Bible is clear: ONE WAY, ONE TRUTH, ONE LIFE. This side of heaven, we have the choice to accept or reject God's plan of salvation for mankind. The spiritual fork in the road requires a decision and indifference is not an option. Therefore, we are without excuse according to what the Bible teaches. For Solomon, the reality of where the soul resides when we die was perplexing. Keep in mind, Jesus had not come to earth yet to fulfill his purpose of salvation, so Solomon would have understandably been confused. We know though that by accepting Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross of Calvary as payment for the penalty our sins demand at judgment, we are assured salvation. Again, many people struggle with the idea that we can just "pray a prayer" to be saved. Wouldn't that undermine salvation together? Because logically, we could just continue living how we want without any regard for what the Lord says in His Word, for our eternal salvation is sealed regardless of what sins we commit thereafter if we believe once saved, always saved. But Jesus warns us emphatically, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’" (Matthew 7:21-23). As we learned in our devotional study of James 2:14-26, works do not save us in any way but they do bear witness that heart change has taken place in us by our obedience and submission to the Word of God.
The undertone Solomon speaks with in this passage of Ecclesiastes is rather morbid. In essence he is stating, "We all die, so what's the point?" Moreover, he is identifying that living in a fallen world inevitably results in times of injustice and wickedness. We look around and grieve over the depravity we see in the heart of man that would compel some of the most heinous acts of sin imaginable to occur in our communities. But Solomon is also shifting our perspective from the glaring sins we see around us to an introspective evaluation of the subtle sins that reside in the dark corners of our own hearts. In other words, do we recognize "respectable sins" in our hearts which we have chosen to NOT destroy? (NOTE: Consider reading "Respectable Sins," by Jerry Bridges for further insight into the sins we tolerate.) Do we realize the impact they have on our eternal destination? Do we see how God is continually testing us in order to shift our attention on Him and His free gift of salvation rather than watch us perish with no remorse? Please do not mistake His intent! "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Moreover, if we have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, we can fully anticipate that the Lord will discipline us so that we will remain on the straight and narrow path that sanctifies our hearts. "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons" (Hebrews 12:6-8).
Our response as born-again Christians to the vanity Solomon expresses is through the assurance of salvation Jesus offers. Scripture is crystal clear: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our works do not save us in any way. We cannot earn our salvation or work our way to heaven, hoping that on judgment day our good outweighs the bad on the scales of righteousness. If we believe that in any way, we need to repent of our foolish thinking and embrace the reality that SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT! The minute we think our works play a role in whether we get to heaven when we die, we diminish the eternal sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf to pay the death penalty for our salvation. Works only testify to the inward change in our hearts from loving self to serving God in thankfulness for His free gift. Make no mistake, Jesus had to die. The wrath of God demanded it through His Law. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). That is why focusing solely on God's love is so dangerous. God's love is exemplified through the wrath of His justice intended for mankind which He chose to pour out on His own Son. His love is immeasurable and so too is His wrath, for His law which declares He is just is the equal and opposite aspect of His holy character and identity. The question we must wrestle with is whether we have bought into the ideology that being a good person, or attending church every Sunday, or simply hoping our good outweighs our bad on the day of judgment has become our personal theology. For if it has, we can be assured the Lord will righteously declare, "Depart from me, I never knew you." We simply cannot bank our eternal immortality on wishful thinking and blind hope. The absolute truth of Scripture is freely available to guide our eternal fate decision if we choose to embrace it as our moral compass. Therefore, we must repent and accept fully what the Word of God teaches: That we are saved by grace through faith and not by works, so that we cannot in any way, shape or form take credit for our salvation. It is only by the blood of Jesus that we have the opportunity to choose heaven or hell...but we must make a choice or suffer the consequences.
Why then is this message so important? "If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts" (Psalm 7:12-13). Consider this perspective: "So, then, God has a sword, and He will punish man on account of his sins. This evil generation has labored to take away from God the sword of His justice; they have endeavored to prove to themselves that God will "clear the guilty," and will by no means "punish evil, disobedience, and sin."...But the cry of the age is, that God is merciful, that God is love. Yes, who said He wasn't? But remember it is equally true, God is just, severely and inflexibly just! He would not be God, if He were not just; He could not be merciful if He were not just, for punishment of the wicked is demanded by the highest mercy to the rest of mankind." The great Charles Spurgeon spoke those words to his church congregation on December 7, 1856, yet his words could not be more appropriate to our present day as well, 160 years later. The reality that to dust we will return one day must compel us to reconcile once and for all what we believe about eternity. Do we know this moment if it be our last that without question we will spend eternity in heaven? If the answer is yes, we must be sure our theology is based solely on the 66 books of the Bible (Note: The Catholic Apocrypha is not accepted as part of the 66 books), and that we are not mixing works into the "grace by faith alone" equation, otherwise we are misinformed and will suffer the same fate as unbelievers who reject the Gospel altogether. If the answer is "No" that we are not sure, we must reconcile our hearts to God immediately (for we are not guaranteed tomorrow) and make a personal choice to accept the free gift of salvation Christ offers as taught throughout His Word, or suffer the consequences and risk spending eternity in hell cut off from heaven. As James MacDonald often states, "Choose to sin, choose to suffer," and we must take this warning as seriously as death itself if we are to grasp what this Easter week is all about. "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" (Romans 5:6-11).
Friday, March 25, 2016
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 (Devotion)
THE GOD-GIVEN TASK - "What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away."
What is the difference between faith and trust? Why does it matter? What wisdom are we to gain from knowing the difference? Simply stated, faith is believing while trust solidifies belief over time. Faith begins the process while trust grows and strengthens in response to faith. Case in point, as followers of Christ we believe God's Word to be true, inerrant, and absolute. That is the foundation and premise of our theology. Where trust comes into play is through revelation of Scripture throughout our lives which solidifies our initial faith. We likely do not understand all God's Word has to say nor the reasons why He acts the way He does, but over time we learn to trust because He is graciously sanctifying us through His Word. We must remind ourselves, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Therefore, we believe the Bible to be the inspired and spoken word of our Creator. Moreover, we believe the Lord not only took on the form of word but also flesh through Jesus Christ, in order to pay the ultimate price for our salvation. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). These two central truths from John 1 establish the foundation of our faith which trust builds upon over time. Scripture reveals the mind of God through His Word: His will, His purpose, and His sovereignty; and Scripture also reveals the heart of God through His Son: His redemption, His plan of salvation, and His forgiveness, grace and mercy.
Make no mistake, knowing, believing and trusting is a process. We may know what the Bible says, but do we place our eternal faith in its promises and believe what it says is true? We may believe God's Word is true, but what trust is built if we do not submit to its authority and obey its instruction and wisdom through application? We must step forward in faith and trust that God is who He says He is throughout His Word if we are to inherit the blessings He has in store for those who respond to His calling. "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8). The example given to us in Joshua 3 paints a perfect portrait of this truth. On their journey to the promised land, the nation of Israel came to the point where they needed to cross the Jordan river, which at the time had overflowed all its banks and greatly exceeded its normal breadth and depth, making it impossible to cross by foot. The most important takeaway from this chapter is that the river did not recede until the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant touched the water. They did not simply approach the shoreline and wait for the waters to stop flowing before they crossed. Rather, God required that their faith in Him be tested to see whether they trusted His Word to be true. Faith required application through trust by taking the first step into perilous water, and we can benefit from their example by applying this principle truth to our lives.
Solomon writes Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 with an accurate perception that God is sovereign and can be fully trusted, for the Lord reveals what we need to know in His time and does not overwhelm us with the crushing weight of infinite knowledge. Therefore, we can enjoy the moments He has given us to enjoy the fruits of our labor because He has provided for our needs. Moreover, we are not burdened by knowing more than we ought and suffering the temptations associated with knowledge, because He is in control at all times and has our best interest in mind. Consider how tempting it would be to live completely and unashamedly for our own selfish pleasure if we knew and day and hour of our passing. Would we have any need for God until the very end? Would we not overindulge ourselves with all the pleasures of life Solomon experienced and repent to God for salvation right before we breathe our last breath? "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2). Our dependence on God is due to our inability to save ourselves. Therefore, it is for our benefit that we do not have all the answers to life's questions, because faith and trust are built when we rely on the Lord's wisdom and provision instead of ourselves. It is not easy though. Billy Graham writes of such a faith struggle he had early on in his ministry. He witnessed a fellow evangelist turn from faith in Christ to rest in the false security of science and academia, and was subsequently mocked for the "simple" faith he (Billy) professed in the authority of God's Word. Weighed down and unable to sleep one night, Billy went for a walk and came upon a tree stump. Kneeling down, he laid his open Bible upon it and prayed, "O God! There are many things in this book I do not understand. There are many problems with it for which I have no solution. There are many seeming contradictions. There are some areas in it that do not seem to correlate with modern science. I can’t answer some of the philosophical and psychological questions Chuck and others are raising." But inspired by the Holy Spirit, Billy concluded, "Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word—by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word!"
There is great comfort knowing that who we would consider spiritual leaders have struggled. Whether it be our teaching pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, etc., there is no substitute for Godly leaders being transparent and vulnerable enough to share their own sins and struggles publicly. In many ways, our respect for them increases as they reveal the frailness of their humanity because we personally identify with their struggles, and in many cases, come to grip with our own sins based on the example they provide through their own testimony. Leaning upon the transparency Solomon expresses, we find comfort knowing that trusting God is sufficient, for the Lord turns ashes to beauty, breathes light into darkness, and raises the dead to new life in Christ. Even creation itself speaks on His behalf, proclaiming the majesty and authority of His name. "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Solomon states plainly that whatever God does endures forever, so we can rest securely not only placing faith in His saving power and majesty, but trusting that the promise of eternity He offers by grace through faith will sustain us through the joys and hardships of our lives. "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives'" (Hebrews 12:3-6).
In the end, our calling as followers of Jesus Christ is to embrace God's Word in its entirety without adding to it or taking away from it, just as Solomon exhorts as well. Let us not gloss over the severity of this issue. The book of Revelation closes with a firm proclamation to those who would undermine the Bible in any way: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19). This statement alone proves that God is immune to controversial arguments aimed at discrediting Scripture. His final declaration is that He is sufficient and His Word is true without reservation, excuse or apology. Therefore, we can place complete faith and trust in His grace and mercy rather than our self-sufficiency. "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:3-7). May we never forget the ultimate price God paid for our freedom and salvation, because "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire" (2 Peter 1:3-4).
What is the difference between faith and trust? Why does it matter? What wisdom are we to gain from knowing the difference? Simply stated, faith is believing while trust solidifies belief over time. Faith begins the process while trust grows and strengthens in response to faith. Case in point, as followers of Christ we believe God's Word to be true, inerrant, and absolute. That is the foundation and premise of our theology. Where trust comes into play is through revelation of Scripture throughout our lives which solidifies our initial faith. We likely do not understand all God's Word has to say nor the reasons why He acts the way He does, but over time we learn to trust because He is graciously sanctifying us through His Word. We must remind ourselves, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Therefore, we believe the Bible to be the inspired and spoken word of our Creator. Moreover, we believe the Lord not only took on the form of word but also flesh through Jesus Christ, in order to pay the ultimate price for our salvation. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). These two central truths from John 1 establish the foundation of our faith which trust builds upon over time. Scripture reveals the mind of God through His Word: His will, His purpose, and His sovereignty; and Scripture also reveals the heart of God through His Son: His redemption, His plan of salvation, and His forgiveness, grace and mercy.
Make no mistake, knowing, believing and trusting is a process. We may know what the Bible says, but do we place our eternal faith in its promises and believe what it says is true? We may believe God's Word is true, but what trust is built if we do not submit to its authority and obey its instruction and wisdom through application? We must step forward in faith and trust that God is who He says He is throughout His Word if we are to inherit the blessings He has in store for those who respond to His calling. "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8). The example given to us in Joshua 3 paints a perfect portrait of this truth. On their journey to the promised land, the nation of Israel came to the point where they needed to cross the Jordan river, which at the time had overflowed all its banks and greatly exceeded its normal breadth and depth, making it impossible to cross by foot. The most important takeaway from this chapter is that the river did not recede until the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant touched the water. They did not simply approach the shoreline and wait for the waters to stop flowing before they crossed. Rather, God required that their faith in Him be tested to see whether they trusted His Word to be true. Faith required application through trust by taking the first step into perilous water, and we can benefit from their example by applying this principle truth to our lives.
Solomon writes Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 with an accurate perception that God is sovereign and can be fully trusted, for the Lord reveals what we need to know in His time and does not overwhelm us with the crushing weight of infinite knowledge. Therefore, we can enjoy the moments He has given us to enjoy the fruits of our labor because He has provided for our needs. Moreover, we are not burdened by knowing more than we ought and suffering the temptations associated with knowledge, because He is in control at all times and has our best interest in mind. Consider how tempting it would be to live completely and unashamedly for our own selfish pleasure if we knew and day and hour of our passing. Would we have any need for God until the very end? Would we not overindulge ourselves with all the pleasures of life Solomon experienced and repent to God for salvation right before we breathe our last breath? "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2). Our dependence on God is due to our inability to save ourselves. Therefore, it is for our benefit that we do not have all the answers to life's questions, because faith and trust are built when we rely on the Lord's wisdom and provision instead of ourselves. It is not easy though. Billy Graham writes of such a faith struggle he had early on in his ministry. He witnessed a fellow evangelist turn from faith in Christ to rest in the false security of science and academia, and was subsequently mocked for the "simple" faith he (Billy) professed in the authority of God's Word. Weighed down and unable to sleep one night, Billy went for a walk and came upon a tree stump. Kneeling down, he laid his open Bible upon it and prayed, "O God! There are many things in this book I do not understand. There are many problems with it for which I have no solution. There are many seeming contradictions. There are some areas in it that do not seem to correlate with modern science. I can’t answer some of the philosophical and psychological questions Chuck and others are raising." But inspired by the Holy Spirit, Billy concluded, "Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word—by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word!"
There is great comfort knowing that who we would consider spiritual leaders have struggled. Whether it be our teaching pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, etc., there is no substitute for Godly leaders being transparent and vulnerable enough to share their own sins and struggles publicly. In many ways, our respect for them increases as they reveal the frailness of their humanity because we personally identify with their struggles, and in many cases, come to grip with our own sins based on the example they provide through their own testimony. Leaning upon the transparency Solomon expresses, we find comfort knowing that trusting God is sufficient, for the Lord turns ashes to beauty, breathes light into darkness, and raises the dead to new life in Christ. Even creation itself speaks on His behalf, proclaiming the majesty and authority of His name. "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Solomon states plainly that whatever God does endures forever, so we can rest securely not only placing faith in His saving power and majesty, but trusting that the promise of eternity He offers by grace through faith will sustain us through the joys and hardships of our lives. "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives'" (Hebrews 12:3-6).
In the end, our calling as followers of Jesus Christ is to embrace God's Word in its entirety without adding to it or taking away from it, just as Solomon exhorts as well. Let us not gloss over the severity of this issue. The book of Revelation closes with a firm proclamation to those who would undermine the Bible in any way: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19). This statement alone proves that God is immune to controversial arguments aimed at discrediting Scripture. His final declaration is that He is sufficient and His Word is true without reservation, excuse or apology. Therefore, we can place complete faith and trust in His grace and mercy rather than our self-sufficiency. "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:3-7). May we never forget the ultimate price God paid for our freedom and salvation, because "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire" (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Devotion)
A TIME FOR EVERYTHING - "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."
A wise man once said, "You go no place by accident." From a theological perspective, this quote magnifies the absolute truth that God is sovereign over all creation and time is a critical component to His sovereignty being revealed to mankind. God's sovereignty encompasses past, present and future, for nothing happens outside of His knowledge and control that He does not cause or allow for His own purposes according to His will. R.C. Sproul writes, "If there is any element of the universe that is outside of his authority, then he no longer is God over all. In other words, sovereignty belongs to deity. Sovereignty is a natural attribute of the Creator. God owns what he makes, and he rules what he owns." Time is the method in which God reveals His sovereignty, because every moment of our lives is defined with a specific purpose ordained by His authority. "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). We cannot run and hide from His Presence no matter how hard we try. Therefore, we must come to the point where we accept who He infinitely is compared to our finite existence, so that we would accept His sovereign rule rather than reject or rebel against His almighty supremacy. For Scripture reminds us, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8).
God's sovereignty is crucial to our understanding of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, because without it, the moments in time Solomon points out are without eternal value or significance. For the Christ-follower, sanctification is the predominant purpose for why we experience joy, pain, blessings and trials throughout our lives. Therefore, we must prepare our hearts to receive whatever comes our way so that our faith would not be shaken by seasons of life that attempt to undermine our faith and trust in the Lord. That is why God identifies Himself in the pages of Scripture as the author and perfecter of our faith. "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you" (Leviticus 20:7-8). We must also realize though that God's sovereignty does not identify Him as tempter, but purifier of our faith. "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:13-14). "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
When we embrace the truth that we go no place by accident, we understand that seasons of life are inevitable, but the beauty of the Gospel gives clarity and direction to how we embrace each season. At times our lives may metaphorically mirror spring, summer, autumn and winter, for there are both beauty and challenges that come with each season which affect our attitude and perspective. We can easily point out their advantages and disadvantages, but the eye of the beholder determines what trajectory his/her focus will gravitate toward. There are certain aspects of the seasons people love, but those same seasons have aspects that people hate as well. For example, one may love the new birth of springtime which turns dormant brown grass to luscious green and causes flowers and trees to bloom, but the pollen floating in the air may cause incredible health issues and discomfort that compels a longing for summer. Moreover, one may crave relief from hot summer temperatures with the cooler temperatures of autumn that unveil a kaleidoscope of colors as leaves change color, but the beauty of autumn quickly vanishes to a sea of brown and makes us crave the holiday seasons winter brings as well. Similarly, our spiritual lives mirror the fluctuations we experience throughout the seasons. One day goes in one direction and the next follows a completely different course. Consequently, let us consider Mark Driscoll's contemporary perspective of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 that helps illustrate this point more clearly:
Conversely, we are to enjoy seasons of blessing and harvest when the Lord provides. There is nothing wrong with celebrating financial provisions, the birth of a child, a decision of salvation, continued good health, moments of conquest, accomplishment and graduation, quality time with those we love, etc. The key is to give credit where credit is due and proclaim glory to God who ordains our seasons of bountiful blessing. "Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful" (Psalm 111:1-4). We must also be extremely aware of our fleshly propensities to confuse God's provision with expectation and entitlement. We are owed nothing by God and must guard ourselves from thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, lest we become theologically confused. Let us look no further than Christ's teaching to affirm this truth: "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).
Indeed, for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. No doubt, our seasons will be a mixed bag of blessings and trials, but our attitude must be consistent irregardless of the season we find ourselves in. Moreover, if we can find the silver lining God provides in our greatest trials, we will not be overcome with fear. At times, God's greatest provision to us may be thorns that remind us to not live independent from Him but dependent solely on His sovereignty, just as Paul did. "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). If we can learn to find the blessings in trials and be aware of the trials in blessings, we will more easily embrace whatever season comes our way, trusting in God's Word as our source of strength. Because "the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). He longs for intimacy with us and will stop at no expense to pursue us to the ends of the earth because He loves us unconditionally. For His love fuels His will for us, and the seasons we face are simply a means of His sanctifying power and purpose in our lives if we submit to His authority and obey His Word without excuse or reservation.
NOTE: For further worship and reflection, check out the following links for incredible songs inspired by the sovereignty of God which intersects our various seasons of life as described in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. May these encourage your heart, mind and soul!
"Sovereign Over Us" by Aaron Keyes
"Ecclesiastes" by Tim Hughes
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."
A wise man once said, "You go no place by accident." From a theological perspective, this quote magnifies the absolute truth that God is sovereign over all creation and time is a critical component to His sovereignty being revealed to mankind. God's sovereignty encompasses past, present and future, for nothing happens outside of His knowledge and control that He does not cause or allow for His own purposes according to His will. R.C. Sproul writes, "If there is any element of the universe that is outside of his authority, then he no longer is God over all. In other words, sovereignty belongs to deity. Sovereignty is a natural attribute of the Creator. God owns what he makes, and he rules what he owns." Time is the method in which God reveals His sovereignty, because every moment of our lives is defined with a specific purpose ordained by His authority. "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). We cannot run and hide from His Presence no matter how hard we try. Therefore, we must come to the point where we accept who He infinitely is compared to our finite existence, so that we would accept His sovereign rule rather than reject or rebel against His almighty supremacy. For Scripture reminds us, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8).
God's sovereignty is crucial to our understanding of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, because without it, the moments in time Solomon points out are without eternal value or significance. For the Christ-follower, sanctification is the predominant purpose for why we experience joy, pain, blessings and trials throughout our lives. Therefore, we must prepare our hearts to receive whatever comes our way so that our faith would not be shaken by seasons of life that attempt to undermine our faith and trust in the Lord. That is why God identifies Himself in the pages of Scripture as the author and perfecter of our faith. "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you" (Leviticus 20:7-8). We must also realize though that God's sovereignty does not identify Him as tempter, but purifier of our faith. "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:13-14). "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
When we embrace the truth that we go no place by accident, we understand that seasons of life are inevitable, but the beauty of the Gospel gives clarity and direction to how we embrace each season. At times our lives may metaphorically mirror spring, summer, autumn and winter, for there are both beauty and challenges that come with each season which affect our attitude and perspective. We can easily point out their advantages and disadvantages, but the eye of the beholder determines what trajectory his/her focus will gravitate toward. There are certain aspects of the seasons people love, but those same seasons have aspects that people hate as well. For example, one may love the new birth of springtime which turns dormant brown grass to luscious green and causes flowers and trees to bloom, but the pollen floating in the air may cause incredible health issues and discomfort that compels a longing for summer. Moreover, one may crave relief from hot summer temperatures with the cooler temperatures of autumn that unveil a kaleidoscope of colors as leaves change color, but the beauty of autumn quickly vanishes to a sea of brown and makes us crave the holiday seasons winter brings as well. Similarly, our spiritual lives mirror the fluctuations we experience throughout the seasons. One day goes in one direction and the next follows a completely different course. Consequently, let us consider Mark Driscoll's contemporary perspective of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 that helps illustrate this point more clearly:
- One day you are the windshield. One day you are the fly.
- One day you get torn up. One day you heal up.
- One day you watch your life come together. One day you watch your life fall apart.
- One day you cannot stop smiling. One day you cannot stop weeping.
- One day you cannot stop dancing. One day you cannot stop grieving.
- One day your house gets built. One day your house gets bulldozed.
- One day your loved one walks toward you. One day your loved one walks away from you.
- One day you have hope and pursue your dreams. One day you lose hope and accept your nightmare.
- One day you bring a new thing home. One day you throw it in the garbage.
- One day you need to open your mouth. One day you need to shut your mouth.
- One day you love your life. One day you hate your life.
- One day life feels like a vacation. One day life feels like a war.
Conversely, we are to enjoy seasons of blessing and harvest when the Lord provides. There is nothing wrong with celebrating financial provisions, the birth of a child, a decision of salvation, continued good health, moments of conquest, accomplishment and graduation, quality time with those we love, etc. The key is to give credit where credit is due and proclaim glory to God who ordains our seasons of bountiful blessing. "Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful" (Psalm 111:1-4). We must also be extremely aware of our fleshly propensities to confuse God's provision with expectation and entitlement. We are owed nothing by God and must guard ourselves from thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, lest we become theologically confused. Let us look no further than Christ's teaching to affirm this truth: "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).
Indeed, for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. No doubt, our seasons will be a mixed bag of blessings and trials, but our attitude must be consistent irregardless of the season we find ourselves in. Moreover, if we can find the silver lining God provides in our greatest trials, we will not be overcome with fear. At times, God's greatest provision to us may be thorns that remind us to not live independent from Him but dependent solely on His sovereignty, just as Paul did. "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). If we can learn to find the blessings in trials and be aware of the trials in blessings, we will more easily embrace whatever season comes our way, trusting in God's Word as our source of strength. Because "the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). He longs for intimacy with us and will stop at no expense to pursue us to the ends of the earth because He loves us unconditionally. For His love fuels His will for us, and the seasons we face are simply a means of His sanctifying power and purpose in our lives if we submit to His authority and obey His Word without excuse or reservation.
NOTE: For further worship and reflection, check out the following links for incredible songs inspired by the sovereignty of God which intersects our various seasons of life as described in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. May these encourage your heart, mind and soul!
"Sovereign Over Us" by Aaron Keyes
"Ecclesiastes" by Tim Hughes
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 (Devotion)
THE VANITY OF TOIL - "I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind."
The vanity of toil is a warning Solomon gives to both guard against idleness and the practice of "living to work." While toil is not a word commonly used in our present culture, Noah Webster defines it as "to labor; to work; to exert strength with pain and fatigue of body or mind, particularly of the body, with efforts of some continuance or duration." As providers in our homes, toil takes on greater meaning for us as men. We must first understand that Scripture declares plainly, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10b), for what man can live righteously before God with an indifferent demeanor toward responsibility and a slothful laziness which hinders productivity? Just as we are called to be identified as Christians by our love, the diligence of our hands gives testimony to the transforming work our Lord and Savior has done in our hearts. Work is part of our DNA as humans for better or worse, because Christ's work on the cross satisfied the wrath of sin that began in the garden long before. "For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:19).
From the start of creation, the fall of man has set our course of toil and labor into action. "And to Adam he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return'" (Genesis 3:17-19). Many balk at the notion that one singular, sinful decision cursed all mankind for all generations. It doesn't seem fair that we are born into sin and subsequently suffer the consequences Adam and Eve deserved for their disobedience, but that is our plight. Whether we choose to accept or reject it, the truth remains that what is written in God's Word is absolute and binding. We cannot change history, but we must learn from the mistake of their original sin and live for righteousness. What is intriguing about the original sin, considering the vanity of toil, is that provision takes center stage. Adam & Eve rejected God's provision. They failed to trust God at His Word and chose to pursue and satisfy their own fleshly desires rather than be content with all God created to provide for their needs in the garden. "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate" (Genesis 3:6).
Provisional discontentment is a serious issue. It begs the question: "Am I content with all God has provided me?" For instance, am I content with my economic status? Am I content with my job title, occupational responsibilities, and place of employment? Am I content with my marriage and my choice of spouse? Am I content with the number of children I have (or lack thereof)? Am I content with my present physical attributes and limitations, health status, and overall physique? Am I content with my home, mode of transportation, and material possessions? Am I content with the amount of time I have to pursue my hobbies, passions, or extracurricular activities? Am I content with the amount of quality time I spend each day with the Lord in prayer and Bible study? In all these personal reflection questions, the topic of provision is interwoven in how content or discontent we are with who we are and what we have. Our hearts are magnified to the point where we examine how our call to work and labor impacts our theological view of provision. For example, do I see my employment as God's provision of food and shelter for my family, or is my identity found in my job title, pay-scale, and other benefits? In other words, who am I living for and whose pleasure and satisfaction drive my determination and motivation for success and status? Because at the end of the day, there are always greater conquests to be discovered in the workplace and more zeroes to add to the end of our check stubs if that is what motivates us...but what master do I serve? "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13).
Moreover, provision cannot be at the expense of those we love, masked under the justification that our pursuit of financial success and security is intended to provide a better life for our loved ones. As men especially, we simply cannot make foolish assumptions that our continual absence is for their benefit and worth the cost. Too many broken homes, lonely and abandoned spouses, and children of divorced parents are evidence that money cannot buy happiness. Some may challenge though that Scripture states, "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). That is true. Therefore, it is 100% Biblical that provision is an absolute necessity and duty for every man who identifies himself as a follower of Christ. BUT as Christian husbands and fathers, what our families need most from us is NOT to appease their affections with money so as to fill our physical void with material possessions, but to give our most prized possessions to them: Quality time, spiritual leadership, integrity, character, humility, and selfless hearts committed to obeying the Bible universally and unconditionally in our lives. Moreover, we must guard ourselves from breaking promises that prove to be empty, making excuses for our continual absences, or even being mentally/emotionally distracted or preoccupied when we are physically present with our families. Jesus warns, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour" (Matthew 25:13), in order to drive home the reality that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Therefore, we are wise to ensure our toil is aligned with the will of God so that we have no regrets when the hour of death arrives for us or those we love. (NOTE: http://www.courageousthemovie.com/videos The movie, "Courageous," depicts this reality clearly.)
Based on his experience, Solomon saves us from tremendous heartache and frustration with his determination that toil is vanity. He achieved worldwide acclaim for the fruit of his labor. His wealth was surpassed by no one, but he quickly realized that living to work and working to live are two completely different motivations. Solomon immersed himself in achieving success, status and title, yet invested little time or effort in the beneficiaries of his abundance, leaving him inconsolably distraught. He lived to work and reached a level of achievement greater than any other man, only to play Russian roulette in his mind at the thought of who would receive the blessing of his inheritance (the wise or the fool). The realization that he invested in the wrong "stock-option" drove him mad, and we are the beneficiaries of the wisdom he gained as a result of his misery. We are required by God to work, for Scripture reminds us, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). That truth completely flips the script on how Solomon viewed toil. His works were driven by the pursuit of personal achievement, but God calls us to work for His glory, not our own. As followers of Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and calls us to live for a higher purpose. Therefore, we cannot confuse our desire to attain for ourselves (living to work) at the expense of living for God (working to live). "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
A lesson such as this should be a wake up call for many. Our present culture places incredible emphasis on status and achievement, measuring value and personal worth monetarily rather than spiritually. But are we aware of how our hearts have been influenced by secular theology? Consider Jesus' exhortation as testimony of where we should be investing our time, energy and resources. "And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'" (Mark 12:41-44). The vanity of toil is not intended for us to become lazy or disheartened, but to teach us that our work is intended for a greater purpose. Therefore, we must assess the consequences of our actions to ensure we are not living selfishly for our ourselves, but that the fruits of our labor bring glory to God. Inevitably, this should compel us to weigh what is the wise choice when a myriad of real-life situations create fork-in-the-road decisions, and evaluate them based on treasure that lasts rather than fades. For "better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it" (Proverbs 15:16). Perhaps then our identity will be found in Christ by our willingness to work in living for Him, rather than living to work for ourselves and leaving this world unsatisfied and discontent when we die.
The vanity of toil is a warning Solomon gives to both guard against idleness and the practice of "living to work." While toil is not a word commonly used in our present culture, Noah Webster defines it as "to labor; to work; to exert strength with pain and fatigue of body or mind, particularly of the body, with efforts of some continuance or duration." As providers in our homes, toil takes on greater meaning for us as men. We must first understand that Scripture declares plainly, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10b), for what man can live righteously before God with an indifferent demeanor toward responsibility and a slothful laziness which hinders productivity? Just as we are called to be identified as Christians by our love, the diligence of our hands gives testimony to the transforming work our Lord and Savior has done in our hearts. Work is part of our DNA as humans for better or worse, because Christ's work on the cross satisfied the wrath of sin that began in the garden long before. "For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:19).
From the start of creation, the fall of man has set our course of toil and labor into action. "And to Adam he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return'" (Genesis 3:17-19). Many balk at the notion that one singular, sinful decision cursed all mankind for all generations. It doesn't seem fair that we are born into sin and subsequently suffer the consequences Adam and Eve deserved for their disobedience, but that is our plight. Whether we choose to accept or reject it, the truth remains that what is written in God's Word is absolute and binding. We cannot change history, but we must learn from the mistake of their original sin and live for righteousness. What is intriguing about the original sin, considering the vanity of toil, is that provision takes center stage. Adam & Eve rejected God's provision. They failed to trust God at His Word and chose to pursue and satisfy their own fleshly desires rather than be content with all God created to provide for their needs in the garden. "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate" (Genesis 3:6).
Provisional discontentment is a serious issue. It begs the question: "Am I content with all God has provided me?" For instance, am I content with my economic status? Am I content with my job title, occupational responsibilities, and place of employment? Am I content with my marriage and my choice of spouse? Am I content with the number of children I have (or lack thereof)? Am I content with my present physical attributes and limitations, health status, and overall physique? Am I content with my home, mode of transportation, and material possessions? Am I content with the amount of time I have to pursue my hobbies, passions, or extracurricular activities? Am I content with the amount of quality time I spend each day with the Lord in prayer and Bible study? In all these personal reflection questions, the topic of provision is interwoven in how content or discontent we are with who we are and what we have. Our hearts are magnified to the point where we examine how our call to work and labor impacts our theological view of provision. For example, do I see my employment as God's provision of food and shelter for my family, or is my identity found in my job title, pay-scale, and other benefits? In other words, who am I living for and whose pleasure and satisfaction drive my determination and motivation for success and status? Because at the end of the day, there are always greater conquests to be discovered in the workplace and more zeroes to add to the end of our check stubs if that is what motivates us...but what master do I serve? "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13).
Moreover, provision cannot be at the expense of those we love, masked under the justification that our pursuit of financial success and security is intended to provide a better life for our loved ones. As men especially, we simply cannot make foolish assumptions that our continual absence is for their benefit and worth the cost. Too many broken homes, lonely and abandoned spouses, and children of divorced parents are evidence that money cannot buy happiness. Some may challenge though that Scripture states, "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). That is true. Therefore, it is 100% Biblical that provision is an absolute necessity and duty for every man who identifies himself as a follower of Christ. BUT as Christian husbands and fathers, what our families need most from us is NOT to appease their affections with money so as to fill our physical void with material possessions, but to give our most prized possessions to them: Quality time, spiritual leadership, integrity, character, humility, and selfless hearts committed to obeying the Bible universally and unconditionally in our lives. Moreover, we must guard ourselves from breaking promises that prove to be empty, making excuses for our continual absences, or even being mentally/emotionally distracted or preoccupied when we are physically present with our families. Jesus warns, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour" (Matthew 25:13), in order to drive home the reality that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Therefore, we are wise to ensure our toil is aligned with the will of God so that we have no regrets when the hour of death arrives for us or those we love. (NOTE: http://www.courageousthemovie.com/videos The movie, "Courageous," depicts this reality clearly.)
Based on his experience, Solomon saves us from tremendous heartache and frustration with his determination that toil is vanity. He achieved worldwide acclaim for the fruit of his labor. His wealth was surpassed by no one, but he quickly realized that living to work and working to live are two completely different motivations. Solomon immersed himself in achieving success, status and title, yet invested little time or effort in the beneficiaries of his abundance, leaving him inconsolably distraught. He lived to work and reached a level of achievement greater than any other man, only to play Russian roulette in his mind at the thought of who would receive the blessing of his inheritance (the wise or the fool). The realization that he invested in the wrong "stock-option" drove him mad, and we are the beneficiaries of the wisdom he gained as a result of his misery. We are required by God to work, for Scripture reminds us, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). That truth completely flips the script on how Solomon viewed toil. His works were driven by the pursuit of personal achievement, but God calls us to work for His glory, not our own. As followers of Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and calls us to live for a higher purpose. Therefore, we cannot confuse our desire to attain for ourselves (living to work) at the expense of living for God (working to live). "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
A lesson such as this should be a wake up call for many. Our present culture places incredible emphasis on status and achievement, measuring value and personal worth monetarily rather than spiritually. But are we aware of how our hearts have been influenced by secular theology? Consider Jesus' exhortation as testimony of where we should be investing our time, energy and resources. "And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'" (Mark 12:41-44). The vanity of toil is not intended for us to become lazy or disheartened, but to teach us that our work is intended for a greater purpose. Therefore, we must assess the consequences of our actions to ensure we are not living selfishly for our ourselves, but that the fruits of our labor bring glory to God. Inevitably, this should compel us to weigh what is the wise choice when a myriad of real-life situations create fork-in-the-road decisions, and evaluate them based on treasure that lasts rather than fades. For "better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it" (Proverbs 15:16). Perhaps then our identity will be found in Christ by our willingness to work in living for Him, rather than living to work for ourselves and leaving this world unsatisfied and discontent when we die.
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