Memory Verse: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,” Ephesians 4:17.
Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 6:3-12
Introduction:
The “Swedish Nightingale,” Jenny Lind, left the stage for no apparent reason when money, applause, and fame, were pouring in upon her. Sometime after, an English friend found her sitting by the sea with a Bible on her knee, looking out at the glory of the sunset.
As they talked together the friend asked, “Madame, how is it that you ever came to abandon the stage at the very height of your success?” came the quiet answer, “when every day it made me understand less of this (lying a finger on the Bible) and nothing at all of that, (pointing to the sunset) what else could I do?”
We may pay too high a price for the best that the world can give. In our humanity we seek out wealth, fame and long life, as evidence of successful living, when as believers who follow the path of Christ, we should be striving to win souls and disciple others for the glory of God. Our trust and hope should not be in long life or the pleasures this world has to offer. Our trust and hope should be in God, our Father. Both out of love for a gracious and caring Father, and out of fear of an awesome and powerful God, we should set our sights on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones.
What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul as the price for doing it?
The implied answer is that only God knows what will happen to us after death, therefore, it is better making do with what we can look on and enjoy than fantasizing about desirable things that are beyond our grasp. Knowing that in the light of eternity, the important thing is whether we live our lives for God.
Study Questions:
- What is the vanity of a long and selfish life that is never satisfied with goodness? Ecclesiastes 6:3.
- Will most men be remembered long in this earth? Ecclesiastes 6:4; Exodus 17:14; Job 18:17; Psalm 34:16; Isaiah 14:12-20.
- What is the inner state of those who have no hope in God? Ecclesiastes 6:5-6; Job 6:11; Job 7:6, 11; Job 10:1; Psalm 77:3; Psalm 142:1-6.
- Even though a man eats well and has plenty, does this satisfy his soul? Ecclesiastes 6:7; Proverbs 16:26; Proverbs 27:20; Ecclesiastes 1:8; James 4:1-5.
- Do the wise find more enjoyment in life than the fool, or do the rich have more inner satisfaction than the poor? Ecclesiastes 6:8; Matthew 5:3-13; Psalm 49:14-20.
- Is it better to appreciate and enjoy what we have already, or to pursue that which isn’t ours? Ecclesiastes 6:9; Proverbs 15:16; Philippians 4:6-12; Hebrews 13:5; I Timothy 6:8; Matthew 6:25, 34.
- Regardless of social position or heritage, can any man in this earth ever ascend above being a man? Ecclesiastes 6:10; Jeremiah 13:23; Psalm 49:1-13; Jeremiah 9:22-24.
- Is there anything in life for which man can rightfully boast? Ecclesiastes 6:11-12; Proverbs 27:1; James 4:16-17; Psalm 49:6-8; Psalm 94:4-11.