SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 4/20/2013
1:16 PM
My Worship Time Focus:
Solomon Hated Life PT-2
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
Eccl. 2:18-23
Message of the
verse: We will look at the second
part of Solomon hated life in today’s SD.
He considered his wealth (vv. 2:18-23): “18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor
for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me.
19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have
control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting
wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. 20 Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my
labor for which I had labored under the sun. 21 When there is a man who
has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one
who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what does a man get in
all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? 23
Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind
does not rest. This too is vanity.”
We will begin to look at three reasons why Solomon had a
great disgust for his wealth.
1.
You can’t keep it (vs. 18). “For I must leave it to the man who will come
after me.” I suppose most people have
heard the saying that there is no “U-Haul” trailer that follows a hearse. Job
says in 1:21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall
return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of
the LORD.” Jesus told a parable in Luke
12:13-21 about a rich fool who was about to die and leave all his wealth. Dr. Wiersbe quotes a Jewish proverb which
says “there are no pockets in shrouds.”
I think we get the point. What is
money? “an article which may be used as
a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider
of everything except happiness (Wall Street Journal Writer). As far a believer’s
we are stewards of what the Lord has given us to look after for Him, and Jesus
told a parable about this too. I once
heard one of my Pastors say that you can’t keep it but you can send it ahead. Matthew 6:19-21 states “ 19 ¶
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break
in or steal; 21 for where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.”
2.
We can’t protect it (vs. 19-20): “19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man
or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I
have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. 20 Therefore I completely despaired of all the
fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.” I once heard a story about a rich man whose
family did not come to visit him to often which was of course upsetting to
him. He decided that he would put an ATM
machine where he was buried and then his family would come and visit him in
order to get their inheritance. The man
could not only not take it with him, but it does not seem like he really
trusted those to whom he was leaving it too, which is what Solomon is writing
about in this section. Solomon states
suppose he is a fool, and I don’t know if that was exactly the correct description
of Rehoboam, but it comes pretty close.
3.
We can’t enjoy it as we should (vs. 21-23): 21 When there is a man who has labored with
wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not
labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what does a man get in all his labor and
in his striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 Because all his days his task is painful and
grievous; even at night
his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.” Solomon was worrying about who would spend all
the money he had accumulated throughout his years and it even kept him awake at
night. I suppose that there are many
rich people around the world that have this problem, but I can honestly say
that this is not something that would keep me up late at night. Jesus tells us not to worry because we cannot
control what tomorrow brings, but God can.
Paul writes “6 Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. 7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).”
Dr. Wiersbe concludes this section with these
words: “At this point, Solomon appears
to be very pessimistic, but he doesn’t remain that way very long. In a step of faith he reaches the third state
in his experiment.” We will look at that
tomorrow: “He Accepted Life.”
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: I see God as One
who can control all of my problems if I let Him in this section. Money worries should not be a concern to me,
especially if I allow the Lord to handle them with His great wisdom.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Trust the Lord to help me make wise decisions
today and every day, especially with what comes out of my mouth.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 32:7-11
7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah. 8 I will instruct you and
teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eyes upon
you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the
mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to
keep the in check, otherwise they would not come near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he
who trusts in the LORD lovingkindness shall surround you. 11 Be glade in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous
ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright I heart.
Answer to yesterdays Bible
question: “Samson” (Judges 16:17)
Today’s Bible
Question: “Of what country was Benhadad
king?”
Answer in tomorrow’s SD.
4/20/2013 2:49 PM
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