The gift of God

Ecclesiastes 5:19 “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. God’s gifts: wealth, possessions, enjoyment from wealth and possessions and enjoyment in our work.  You and I should fine satisfaction, accomplishment, purpose and service to both God and mankind as we work on this earth.  If we don’t—change your work, your thinking or/and your job using your God-given talents to successfully and pleasurably work and serve.

Money or the love of money

Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.  This too is meaningless. We have heard–the love of money is the root of all evil.  We have to be careful in condemning wealthy people as many faithful, God-fearing Biblical persons were wealthy.  What separated them from the wealthy persons of their time and our time is their attitude toward their assets and God.  Our wealth is to be used in service to our God.  God blesses and man learns from the Teacher to bless his fellow man with his wealth.  We could substitute selfishness is the root of all evil and we might understand more correctly.

Listen, ponder, think maybe talk

Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” We all tend to have astute, wise, immediate and emotionally correct judgements or conclusions regarding ideas, topics or concepts whether they be earthly or spiritual.   We should rather take Solomon’s advise and follow silently what God has to say in regard to all subjects.  When we don’t–who knows–our heart and our mouth could prove just the opposite of our intent.

Three strands

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Valentine’s Day and this verse have much in common–though not originally.  In today’s world, today is a day of recognized love.  The Author of love is God.  God is love.  In a successful marriage love overwhelms the relationship between a husband and wife.  That love relationship is strong; however, when a couple includes the Author of love, that relationship is unbreakable.  Three strands make for a wonderful relationship.  Much wisdom is gained in regard to marriage from this verse.  Every married couple should study this verse and apply its truth.

One or two?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Solomon is not only wise but also practical.  Have you ever worked alone?  Have you then worked with another ambitious person?  Much more is accomplished with 2 persons than each working by themselves.  The work is also done much more enjoyably.  A beautiful thought for a Christian is:  You never walk alone–what tremendous comfort that brings.

A time for everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  A time to be born and a time to dieA time to plant and a time to uprootA time to kill and a time to healA time to tear down and a time to buildA time to weep and a time to laughA time to mourn and a time to danceA time to scatter stones and a time to gather themA time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracingA time to search and a time give upA time to keep and a time to throw awayA time to tear and a time to mendA time to be silent and a time to speakA time to love and a time to hateA time for war and a time for peacev. 22–So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. We all have some time–what we do with our time is our personal choice–how do we constantly make wise use of our time?  Are we aware of our time?