Got To Give It A Go Ecclesiastes 11:1-7
BACKGROUND – We need to understand the book and its writer Solomon; 12 chapters (3 books of wisdom). Theme: Vanity of vanities – all is vanity. Vanity = meaningless. The Hebrew is “Hebel” which is mist, vapour, something fleeting. Other phrases:- “Chasing the wind,” “Everything under the sun.”
Solomon started the book off by looking at things from a worldly perspective. He tried many things to find purpose. Remember he had everything: riches, wisdom, position, etc.
1. Wisdom: 1:13-14, 17
2. Pleasure, wine: 2:1-3
3. Works: 2:4-6
4. Wealth: 2:8
5. Women: 2:8
Chasing the wind (verse 11) Solomon could have been an Australian. The upsweep of all of this is vanity (meaningless) and we all die in the end. *Please note, that the wisdom and sayings are true – they are just very true. They hit home – no glossing over them.
Chapter 11:1-6
* The awareness and realities of life can be confronting.
Next, we look at the contrast of “uncertain” and “certain” – difficult verses.
Verse 1 “Cast your bread”
1. Ships being sent out – sea trade; waiting for a return. Financial interpretation: after many days – had to wait. Eg. superannuation.
2. Charitable interpretation. Do good – sow and reap principle – love, be merciful, gracious – help. It will flow back to you – no time frame.
Verse 2 “Give to 7, even to 8” Diversity. Don’t have all your eggs in the same basket.
1. Financial – Diversity in investments. Be wise
2. Charitable – Spread the love. Don’t restrict yourself, your giving of time and love gifts to a few. 4 is better than 3, 8 is better than 4 [church family, example]
WHY:- Disaster may happen. We do not know what is around the corner. Uncertainty
SOME CERTAINTIES
Verse 3 “Clouds full of rain” and “If a tree falls in the forest.” You don’t have to be Einstein to work this one out – dark clouds bring rain and trees don’t move (unless you get Steve H in to get rid of it). Some things are just certainties: cats, bread, KFC drive-through, death. Can we see the contrast?
Verse 4 “Won’t sow, won’t reap” Don’t be paralysed by indecision. Certainty or uncertainty, we must press on. We cannot wait for the perfect time to do stuff. – more money, more people, more talent.
Better to try than be to be paralysed (fearful), never achieving anything for Christ.
Verse 5 “Who knows how God works” Q. How does the spirit (soul – the eternal bit) enter into a baby? God’s ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9) “Bones in the womb…” God’s acknowledgement of the unborn child’s status. Still-born enters into rest.
Verse 6 “Sow all day…..” we don’t know, but God does. By faith, we must give it a shot. Jesus, even, used this illustration in his parable of the sower.
Folks, we have certainties and uncertainties in this life. We know some things and some things are a mystery to us. These cannot be any hindrance to us as we try and live a successful and purposeful Christian life.
If we let anything paralyse us and stop us from doing things for Christ, this is not the plan. Speaking to others about Jesus; Ministries, building, planning; Being bold for Christ; Calling sin, sin.
CONCLUSION
So, what was Solomon’s conclusion after he had tried, done, tasted, etc. all this stuff the world had to offer? Even with the mindset of “we all die anyway”?
Chapters 12 & 13. “Fear God and keep His commandments.” This is the whole duty of man (us). Do you want to know the will of God? “Fear God……” Duty – not preference/choice.
We have a hope in Christ Jesus, which is dead-set opposite of vanities of vanities, all is vanity.
1. He has a plan for us (Isaiah 14:24)
2. He is in control (Psalm 115:3)
3. He is our sovereign God
Got questions quote “skjdnf;sojdfmml;lb;odjfn;dsj”
But, (there has to be a but) with Christ, life is meaningful, purposeful, full of joy and peace. Yes, you will die, then you enter into His rest. All said and done, “Fear God and keep His commandments.” WHY? Because He is worthy.