Opening Illustration: From Blue Fish TV – “Wake”
Series: Chasing the Wind – Ecclesiastes
Transition read before song: Solomon states in Ecc. 1:2-4; 8; 14: “Meaningless! MEANINGLESS!” SAYS THE TEACHER. “UTTERLY MEANINGLESS!” Everything Is meaningless.” What does man gain from his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever… all things are wearisome … I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind!”
Summary of Series: Chasing
Illustration Kites – Kites set up in sanctuary– We need to catch the wind if we want to sail into the spiritual realm and to find meaning and purpose for our lives. Just like kites need to catch the wind to sail.
Thesis of series: Catching the wind of the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of God) is crucial to finding purpose and fulfillment in life – you can chase the wind of life all you want but it won’t make you fly - just like chasing the wind will not make a kite fly – you have to catch the wind to sail – to soar - too fly high in the both the natural and spiritual realm of life.
Back to Solomon words in Ecc. 1:2-4; 8; 14: “Meaningless! MEANINGLESS!” SAYS THE TEACHER. “UTTERLY MEANINGLESS!” Everything Is meaningless.” What does man gain from his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever… all things are wearisome … I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind!
Wow Solomon sounds like Mr. Doom and Gloom! He could be saying it this way, “We suffer through life and then we just die!” “Life has no purpose no satisfaction!” “It's pointless!” Wow I don't know about you but this guy sounds deeply depressed about his life! Solomon the king starts out this book with bad news – with a hopeless view of life. I thought he was suppose to be the wise one? He is he is really painting a picture for you of a life that counts for something and a life that is meaningless – he uses his own life as the spiritual example.
You have to hang with Solomon through the journey because in the end he adds this thought!
Note: Here is a book which should be started in the last chapter so you read and understand the reason behind this book and the meaning in life - Here are his final thoughts on life and its true meaning and purpose after his spiritual experiment – he says, “I was wise and I sought knowledge and fulfillment in everything you could imagine in life – I was highlighted as one, who is a whose who, of the rich and famous! - I had the resources to try everything so I did! – I mean everything! - and it was all meaningless – a chasing after the wind – empty - void of fulfillment! I tried work, riches, pleasure, possessions and did it without God and found it all meaningless!
Solomon concludes with these penetrating words after his spiritual journey of life with and without God by his side:
Ecc. 12:13-14: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Solomon after trying everything and anything the world could offer says none of it brought fulfillment and meaning to life – it was all meaningless -senseless – it’s like chasing after the wind! Remember? You can never catch the wind of life and soar without the wind – God is the wind – without a healthy fear of Him and respect for Him – without a connection to the Holy Spirit’s in life it’s all pointless - it’s His wind that makes you soar! It's the wind beneath your wings as the old song would say that makes life worth living.
Sermon#3 - Chasing the wind - “Is Working Meaningless?”
Thesis: Is work meaningless? Is it like chasing after the wind? According to Solomon it is if you are working for the wrong reason and for the wrong person. We need to work for God not men or money and we need to keep it proper balance and be on the side were the wind of the Holy Spirit carries us to new heights.
Scripture Text: Ecc. 4:1-16:
1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.
3 But better than both
is he who has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.
4And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5 The fool folds his hands
and ruins himself.
6 Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
7Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
13Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. 14The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Introduction:
We live in a world that requires us to work to support ourselves, ministry and our families. But I have discovered many Christians have an unbiblical view of work. There are those who view it as a curse from God because of the fall. Others look at work as a necessary evil so they can do real work for the Kingdom of God. Bohlin words it this way “Others make a false distinction between what they perceive as the sacred—serving God—and the secular—everything else. And others make it into an idol, expecting it to provide them with their identity and purpose in life as well as being a source of joy and fulfillment that only God can provide.”
In the book Your Work Matters to God, Doug Sherman and William Hendricks expose the wrong ways of thinking about work, and explain how God invests work with intrinsic value and honor.
In another book I read many years ago as a young Christian carpenter, “Take this job and love it” Baldwin said the same thing! God wants you to love your secular work because you do it for Him and the Kingdom!
Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose Driven Life writes, "Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of his presence."
So how are we to look at Work and God are they connected – can they be connected together?
Sue Bohlin explains this wrong view this way, “Those who hold a secular view of work believe that life is divided into two disconnected parts. God is in one spiritual dimension and work is in the other real dimension, and the two have nothing to do with each other. God stays in His corner of the universe while I go to work and live my life, and these different realms never interact.”
This view is not Biblical – Colossians 3:23 states, “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men.”
T.S. - Listen to some of these famous Christian people as they talk about work and God and you!
Quotes from famous people on work Power point slides 4-7 God – Work – You!
Dr. Ben Carson
President George Washington
C.S. Lewis
George Washington Carver – he began each day with prayer to God – he states God showed him all the uses for the peanut 300 uses and for the sweet potato 115 uses – he called his science lab “God’s little workshop.”
Mother Teresa
Solomon in chapter 4 of our text addresses the issue of work -God and us and through questions reveals to us that it has eternal value. He even addresses the subject of workaholism in our chapter. Have you ever wondered if you are considered a workaholic? Here is a quick quiz you can take to know if you are:
Twenty Questions: How Do I Know If I'm A Workaholic?
________________________________________
1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?
2. Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can't?
3. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?
4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?
7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?
8. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done?
10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it?
11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?
12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?
13. Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?
14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?
15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?
16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?
17. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?
19. Do you work or read during meals?
20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?
If you answer "yes" to three or more of these questions you may be a workaholic. Relax. You are not alone.
The truth is we do need to look at our jobs seriously but we also need to evaluate what our motivation is at work. Who are we working for and what eternal value does our job really have? We need to ask if we work for God, for a paycheck, for self-gratification, for others or for stuff.
Illustration from Patrick Bissig at sermoncentral.com
Charles Plumb:
Was a US navy Pilot in Vietnam
After 75 combat missions his plane was destroyed by a surface to air missile
Plumb ejected and parachuted to enemy’s hands
He was captured and spent 6 years in a Communist, Vietnamese Prison
He survived the ordeal
and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
One day while sitting at a restaurant with his wife
a man came over from another table and said
“Your Plumb, you flew jet fighters in Vietnam
From the Air Craft Carrier Kitty Hawk, you where shot down
“How in the world did you know that” asked Charles Plum?
Well, I packed your parachute” the man replied
Plum gasped in surprised and in gratitude
The man high-fived Plum with enthusiasm and said,
“It guess it worked, I guess it worked”
“It sure did replied” Plum,
“If your chute hadn’t worked I wouldn’t be here today!
Charles couldn’t sleep that night from thinking about that man
I kept wondering what he might of looked like in a navy uniform
White hat, bib in the back and bell-bottom trousers
I wondered how many times I might of seen him and not even said
“Good Morning, How are you, How is your day going?” or anything at all
“You see I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor”
Plumb thought about many hours that sailor
had spent on a long wooden table
In the bowels of the ship carefully weaving the shrouds
and folding the silks of each chute
holding in his hands each time
the very life of someone he didn’t even know.
Here is the question: Are you busy packing someone else’s parachute?
Are you an investor…Do you invest in someone else?
Is your life about you and yours? Or about others!
T.S. - Solomon is exploring and observing the workers in his kingdom and the subject of work in a person’s life. I think he went undercover as a boss. Through his observations, he starts asking the questions, “Is work meaningless?” “Is it like chasing the wind?” Let’s find out the answer to these two questions and see what Solomon observed undercover:
I. So many laborers are oppressed with no comfort or meaning in life.
a. Solomon did a survey of his work force in Israel to see the condition of his workers and here is what he observed:
i. They are miserable – they are tormented and oppressed! They hate their jobs and their bosses!
1. They are miserable at work!
a. Remember Solomon runs a country – has done many building projects – has a military – has servants at palace – he has managed many employees – even some who are considered slaves!
2. I think Solomon went undercover and walked around one day looking -posing as a worker at the different work places in Israel and said while - everyone is miserable – What do you think he would discover if he did this in Chicago today --- would find a different view of the work force?
a. Highlight show Undercover bosses!
ii. How about you and your place of work?
1. Have you ever felt oppressed at work?”
a. Do others reveal an oppression?
2. Have you ever felt trapped with no way out?
a. Do others at work feel trapped?
3. Have you suffered from abusive employers and or fellow employees?
a. Do others suffer like this?
4. Do you feel that you work for yourself or for God?
a. How do others feel you work with?
b. Solomon after being undercover said, “I think the dead are happier than those who are alive and in slavery to their jobs.”
i. I would agree with part of this observation because the ones in Heaven are happier but the one’s in Hell are not!
ii. But Solomon evaluates his work force and they are not happy workers!
c. Solomon said, “I think the unborn are happier than the ones who are laboring and toiling for no eternal reward.”
i. I can’t say if I know the condition of people before they are born. But I can say that exposure to evil cause’s scars and much heartache.
ii. Solomon says it’s better to die in the womb than get stuck working your whole life without God and being miserable!
d. So why has work become a place of oppression for so many?
i. I believe because people are doing the work for their own personal benefit and not for God.
1. Their focus is all about being pleased and being happy at work – it’s all selfishly motivated.
a. When we only focus on our wants - we soon discover they are not met – so we become unhappy and critical of the place we are working at!
b. This poison then impacts the work place and the environment! It becomes toxic!
2. What is your attitude like at work?
a. Are you miserable at work because your attitude is wrong?
b. Do you contribute to the toxicity at work?
c. Do you make place a better place to work for others or worse?
T.S. – Solomon tells us that the job can be a very oppressive place he sees that as he was undercover. But we must ask ourselves who are we working for? Who are you working for?
II. So many are sacrificing themselves to their work because of the envy of others and this creates a miserable life.
a. This sounds so much like today – does it not?
i. Many are working 60 -80 hours a week to keep up with the Jones next door or the fellow worker.
1. Yet they are miserable!
2. Many in the younger generations see this and it has impacted their view of work!
ii. Many have become slaves to their jobs out of envy for what others have and they do not.
1. So they work for more money and stuff – and then get so much stuff they have to rental places to store it!
iii. Many are slaves to their materialistic attitudes and it’s killing them and the sad fact is - their life work does not have any eternal meaning attached to it. Why God’s not in it!
1. This is why jobs become meaningless and even boring!
2. This is why people are miserable!
3. This could be why you place of work is toxic!
b. Envy is defined from various dictionaries as – 1. Spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins). 2. A feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something possessed by another. 3. Painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.
c. Solomon says, “There are a lot of people working for the god of envy and this will prove to be meaningless in the end.”
d. So the question arises from our undercover boss Solomon to his people and us today – What is your motivation for work – who do you work for?
T.S. – Our text challenges us again to look at the motivating factor behind our work ethic, why are we working the way we do and for who are we working for? Solomon also observed while undercover:
III. So many have their hands folded because they gave up the struggle and maybe they have false peace and less stress but this too is meaningless? A chasing after the wind!
a. Solomon had noticed that in his kingdom some people gave up and were doing nothing – they are not working at all and therefore they have no stress or turmoil in life --- but is this the answer to the pressures of life and work? Do nothing? Let others pay the way? Quit?
i. So they quit working and curl up in their homes?
1. In a sense, they waste their time and life!
ii. They hide from the world – play video games all day?
1. Share the story of a friend in Amery!
a. Share Joanna story!
b. The Bible makes it clear that everyone is to work! Proverbs the book of wisdom tells us that we have to work – we should all work:
i. Proverbs 6:6-11: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
ii. Proverbs 20:4: A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
iii. Proverbs 10:4, 5: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
iv. Hebrews 6:12: We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
c. Giving up is meaningless a chasing after the wind -- so this is not the answer to the work problem – The real answer is working for God.
d. We need to work for God on our jobs:
i. Do all for the glory of God – 1 Cor. 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1. Colossians 3:22-25: 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
a. Did you know God will reward you in heaven for working your secular job for Him!
b. Yes, really!
2. This verse makes it clear that we are to do everything for the glory of God even working for a master who may even own us – like some employees may feel today!
3. Balance – God does not want you abused at work – or working at a place that fights against the Kingdom of Heaven.
T.S. – We have the mandate from Scripture that we need to work and we need to work for God’s glory and do a good job for God. Solomon also observed as he was undercover:
IV. So many have sacrificed themselves for their work and they have lost their families, friends and this is meaningless a chasing after the wind.
a. Solomon is looking around at his kingdom and he says, “There are a lot of lonely people who sacrificed their lives for their jobs and have ended up all alone.”
i. He notes that one day they wake up and look around and they discover that they are all alone!
ii. Yet their toil is endless it never stops!
1. They kept working for more, more, more, and more and in the end all they have is loneliness.
a. No joy, no happiness – no eternal meaning!
iii. One day they look around and the light bulb goes off and they say, “Why am I doing this?”
1. Illustration: “Family Man” Clip from movie?
a. They discover that there is no joy in life without family, friends and loved ones even if you have money, fame and success.
2. Solomon says, “What a miserable business!”
a. But many buy into this business model in America today and it is all meaningless!
b. Solomon also observes what happens to the wealthy loner who sacrifices his or her family for the American Israelite dream.
i. He says two people working together are better than just one person doing it all alone.
1. The power of 2 people stories -Illustration from Patrick Bissig sermoncentral.com
a. We were not meant to be alone. People need someone who will come along side and join them arm in arm in the fight.
i. Life is hard,
It is not easy,
bad things happen,
tough times come
but if we are standing shoulder to shoulder, locked arm in arm, we won’t fall. This is one reason why we need to come to church.
b. Examples of the power of two:
i. Paul/Timothy
ii. Mary/Martha
iii. David/Jonathan
iv. Ruth/Naomi
v. Moses/Aaron
vi. Elijah/Elisha
vii. Jesus/John
viii. Lone Ranger/Tonto
ix. Batman/Robin
x. Andy/Barney
xi. Kathy/Mike
c. A memorable scene on the ball field revealing the power of 2 people standing side by side:
i. Jackie Robinson – 1st African American in baseball -Brooklyn Made a critical error - Humiliated -Booed Jeered spit at Pee Wee Reese – Came over to second base put his arm around his shoulder
J. Robinson – “That saved my career.”
ii. . . . TWO MEN SHOULDER TO SHOULDER BOTH LEGENDS!
ii. He says if one falls the other can help them up onto their feet again.
1. He observes how tragic it is to fall and have no one there to pick you up to help you out of the hole.
a. The truth is we need others to believe in us and help us up when we fall!
2. Illustration and thoughts from Patrick Bissig (sermoncentral.com):
a. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. . .”
i. People who invest in other people are the ones who truly make an impact in this world: Bono of U2, Jerry Lewis (MDA), Mother Teresa
ii. People that invest in people are the ones who really make a difference and we never forget them.
iii. People who only invest in themselves live a very lonely life and never make a difference and no one remembers them.
iii. Solomon even notes that two keep each other warm on the cold nights.
1. So the wealthy person with no family is always cold at night and living a miserable cold life.
a. Kathy my wife always says come to bed and warm up my feet, “I’m cold!” The truth is her feet are like ice but I help her out.
b. She says, “That I am a great heater!”
iv. Solomon observes two can defend themselves better than one can so the wealthy loner is going to lose in a battle.
1. We need each other and in the many battles that we will face in life we need others to stand by our side and help us to defend each other.
2. Illustration from Jason Hill at sermoncentral.com:
a. Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”
i. True friends are committed for life. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen and talked to people who have been the victim of a fair-weather friend. They establish what they think is a friendship with someone and as soon as things get a little rough or someone gets their feathers ruffled they bail and their time in that “friendship” is through.
ii. A few years ago there was a country song out in which one woman counsels another woman not to get involved with a certain guy because he is a “walk away Joe”. Just a little turmoil, trouble or discomfort and he’ll be gone. Friends, for what it’s worth, when it comes to friendships I don’t want to be a walk away Joe. I want to be a steadfast, committed, faithful Joe. Many of us have fallen victim to friendships with walk away Joe’s or walk away Jane’s and have been hurt in the process. A true friend, one who God wants us to be friends with are ones who are committed to our friendship for the long haul and as the verse says, will love us no matter what happens. This verse also says that a true friend will remain your friend no matter what happens.
v. Solomon then adds this famous phrase, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
1. Why does Solomon move from talking about pairs to talking about three’s:
a. Because he is making a point that you, your spouse, or good friend joined together in God cannot easily be broken!
i. Remember go read the last chapter of Ecc. 12:13-14: Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
T.S. – The truth is we need others in this life and God designed it that way, that is why he created the church and he pushes the importance of fellowship in the Body of Christ.
V. So many leaders have achieved a leadership role but it is meaningless without the right type of leadership and God’s involvement.
a. In leadership true leaders understand the law of sacrifice – it is the idea that a leader must give up to go up. This thought comes from John Maxwell and James Garlow.
i. Listen to his thoughts on this subject:
1. Principle of leadership of sacrifice #1: Count the cost; Then pay it! (page 235).
a. Leadership will always cost the leader personally:
i. It will cost them their reputation with some, it will cost them in criticism, it will cost them in misunderstandings and misquotes. But a leader who serves for the right reason and for God will pay the price so that the cause can go forward.
2. Principle of leadership of sacrifice #6: The present generation always stands on the sacrifices of those who have gone before it!
a. The story of Jim Elliot’s sacrifice - (The 21 Irrefutable laws of leadership tested by time, by James Garlow page 238).
i. His quote: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
b. The story of William Tyndale from Garlow pages 238-239.
i. William Tyndale could have enjoyed the life of a scholar. Instead he died a martyr. Many know his name. They know he’s important. But they know little of his life of profound sacrifice. Born in 1494, Tyndale was brilliant linguist with a passion to translate the Greek New Testament into English language, something the English-speaking world lacked. His bishops warned him not to do it, however, because they believed that the “common person” should not have the Bible in a language they could understand. In hiding in Europe, William saw his dream come true in February 1526 when six thousand copies of the English New Testament were completed. Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall didn’t approve of the Scriptures being translated into English and hired August Packington to pay whatever needed in order to buy up all the Bibles and destroy them. Tyndale cooperated willingly in the plan. Why? Paid an exorbitant amount, he knew he would be able to afford to do higher quality translation and be able to produce far more Bibles. And that is exactly what he did. In a very short time, Tyndale was peppering England with Bibles, hidden in sacks of flour and bales of corn. And he kept on the move so that King Henry VIII of England could not find him, that is, until a man named Henry Phillips turned him in. His pursuers found him on May 21, 1535. William Tyndale was strangled , and they burned his body at the stake in 1536. As he gasped his last breath, he cried out, “Lord! Open the king of England’s eyes.” And that prayer was answered! Two years later, in 1538, the king reversed himself and issued a royal injunction that required a copy of the Bible to be available in every parish church in England. Tyndale won the cause, but lost his life in the process. Leading can cost-dearly (238-239, Garlow).
3. Principle of leadership sacrifice #10: Accept the fact that life isn’t fair (241).
a. The truth is people will not always treat a leader fairly so get over it.
4. Principle of leadership sacrifice #14: If you lose friends by telling and living the truth, they were not friends you should keep anyway (243).
5. Principle of leadership of Sacrifice #17: Cherish truth, but know that it will cost (246).
6. Principle of leadership sacrifice #20: Die to self; check your ego at the door (247).
b. Leaders know that once in the position if will cost you. Why? Because when you have attained a leadership position you soon discover there are those who want you removed from that position.
i. You quickly discover the opinion polls are always being taken.
ii. You quickly discover who is for you and against you.
c. In leadership you must heed the warnings around you or you will suffer the consequences like many leaders who have refused to listen to God and to wise counsel.
i. Solomon says “I need to heed the warnings!’
1. “I don’t know it all – but God does!”
d. Leaders soon discover that the successors will criticize them for what they did or did not do. These critics without any knowledge of why a person did what they did will make improper judgment calls.
i. You will be criticized and ridiculed and attacked as a leader.
1. It comes with the territory.
2. Share about Pastor Marion Adams comments on pastoring in today’s world.
ii. People will call you names and misunderstand what you say and even what you do at times.
1. But you must serve God and please Him in spite of what others say!
e. Solomon looked around him and saw all the young ones seeking his position and saying, “I can do a better job than he can!”
i. He heard them shouting, “He is such a loser as a president and king! I can do a better job!”
f. Solomon says being a leader is meaningless without God’s involvement and the knowledge that this is what God called you to do.
Conclusion:
The question is asked by Solomon is work meaningless? A Chasing after the wind?
The answer is a “yes” if we work for the wrong person and for the wrong reason.
The answer is “No” it is not meaningless when we are working for God, for His kingdom, His purposes and for His glory. This is when our work takes on new eternal meaning and it will live on into eternity!
Key point: Solomon is trying to tell each of us today to make sure we work for the right reason and for the right person.
We need to connect with God and work for the Lord then our work is not meaningless and it will live on into eternity. We will also be rewarded in heaven for doing our weekly jobs for the Lord!
