Today In The Word - Moody Bible Institute The Misfortune of Fortune Read Ecclesiastes 2:26 To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness. Ecclesiastes 2:26 Warren Buffett caused controversy among his heirs when he pledged $31 billion, 99 percent of his fortune, to the Bill Gates Foundation. Buffett said the wealthy should not leave their children enormous fortunes. They should have enough money to do anything they want, but not so much that they are doomed to do nothing at all. He wanted his heirs to know the value of work. In this section, Solomon contemplated the result of work: “What is the purpose?” Some people work to leave behind a fortune. But, the author challenged, what if the people who inherit that fortune squander it all? The result would seem to prove that hard work is meaningless. This lack of reward for a life well-lived embittered Solomon. “So I hated life,” he wrote (v. 17). Solomon described all the ways he had tried to make his life fulfilling. He asked God for wisdom. He acquired power and influence and stature. He earned more money than he could spend. He indulged in every delight: women, wine, and song. He completed industrious projects. He realized that there was no true satisfaction in any of it. Solomon, whose accomplishments impressed his people, concluded with a few possible answers. He again uses that important phrase: “under the sun.” In this earthly existence, a person can find temporal satisfaction from pleasures and achievement. Yet we must recognize that each of these is a gift from God. As the Creator of all things in heaven and earth, God is the only true source of “wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (v. 26). While a good work ethic is not viewed as a negative quality, we must remember that God did not intend any of these activities to be an end in themselves. There is more to life than work. Have you considered what you will leave to your heirs? While most of us have not acquired great fortunes, we have other valuable things to leave behind: a cherished recipe, a favorite book, or a treasured photo album. Even better is the example of a life well-lived for God. As you serve Him in this life “under the sun,” build up a godly inheritance.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 09:46:52 +0000
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