Nov 30, 2021
1) Be contagiously kind like Christ
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
“Cast your bread upon the waters for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)
This passage in Ecclesiastes stresses the importance of the principle of doing as much good as you can, knowing two things:
- The results are in God’s hands
- You don’t know when you yourself will be in need of someone else’s generosity.
We cast our bread out into the world, and we simply cannot know if every seed will find a place to grow. What we do know is that a significant number of seeds will grow. We should not get hung up on the fact that some of the seeds will not thrive. (Mark 4:3–20)
2) Have a character like Christ’s
To observe circumstances instead of trusting God shows unbelief, rebellion, foolish fear, and idleness.
3) Be Humble Like Christ
"So you do not know the works of God who makes everything: In the same way we don’t know the hidden things, we also do not know the works of God in any comprehensive way. (John 3:8)
“For you do not know which will prosper” (Ecclesiastes 11:6) Solomon again pushes towards an appropriately humble loss of self-confidence. We know less of the future than we think we do.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
4) Enjoy Life the life Christ has given you
If this life is all there is, then death renders every action in this cursed world meaningless. This is not the case for the believer though. Solomon has consistently made the point that the fleeting nature of life should cause us to enjoy life the best we can as God intended because it is a gift from God. “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun . . . “
Solomon encourages his readers to rejoice in their youth and to walk in the ways of their hearts and eyes BUT he adds that they must recognize that God will be judge in the end.
5) Turn to Jesus before aging robs you
”The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12-14)
6) Trust in Jesus as your Savior
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36)