by lighthouse | Feb 18, 2025 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 14, 2025 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 13, 2025 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
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?
by lighthouse | Feb 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 2:18-19 “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.” Solomon is frustrated with the purpose of living. A person works hard, accumulates, provides, instructs and produces with a heart full of effort. And when his life comes to an end and inheritance results, who knows if his efforts are wasted? What is the purpose of life? That is Solomon’s frustrated question soon to be answered.
by lighthouse | Feb 10, 2025 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 2:10 “For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die.” Doesn’t it seem like the wise should receive special favor and rewards while on this earth as far as earthly wealth, a trouble-free life and possibly not even suffer death? That way the entire world would recognize the tremendous advantages of being wise and faith filled. But not so. Everyone looks the same. Then why be wise and God fearing? Our answer will come soon.
by lighthouse | Feb 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ecclesiastes 2:11 “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” All that Solomon exposes is self-centered. His purpose of living was to gain as much as possible — all to please himself. And he accomplished the ultimate. Pleasures, wealth, success—-all was his—yet he says his life was like chasing the uncatchable wind. His purpose is to totally expose, by the time we conclude this book , what truly is important while also exposing what the world craves. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Feb 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ecclesiastes 1:18 “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” If you have a real desire to ruin your day, watch CNN or FOX news or MSNBC or any other news station. They all supply their version of prejudice, knowledge and theoretic wisdom. Then let’s not watch any tv but rather read various newspapers or magazines. The results are identical. Now, let’s read our Bibles and have conversation (prayer} with our God. Totally different experience. The world’s multitude of supposed truth, knowledge and wisdom leads to chaos and discontent. God’s Truth leads to peace and contentedness. You and I have a choice to make.
by lighthouse | Feb 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 1:14 “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Have you, even in your imagination, managed to catch the wind? Solomon wants us to realize that such activity is beyond a waste of time and effort. That is also true of much of life. Meaningless efforts are expended while accomplishing nothing. A drum roll is happening as we are led to finally see what is actually happening as we continue to read and finally come to chapter 12. Solomon’s point—don’t lead a meaningless life!
by lighthouse | Feb 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ecclesiastes 1:3 “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” You and I worry. You and I achieve. You and I accumulate assets. You and I live and you and I will die. Solomon suggests we ask ourselves–we have to seriously ask {the question will be answered} why–what is the purpose? Do we live aimlessly or do we live with a constantly defined purpose? The answer is coming.
by lighthouse | Feb 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ecclesiastes 1:2 ” Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes is one of the most interesting books of the Bible. Solomon puts life and assets into a perspective which defines the value of living life “to the fullest” and expecting the more the happier. Solomon’s wisdom emphasizes what brings joy and contentedness. We have to read and wait in anticipation expressed in the very last verses. Accumulating purposeless assets is meaningless!
