Go! And Do It with All Your Might - Ecclesiastes 9:10
INTRODUCTION — “Whatever You Do, Do It with All Your Might”
There is a sense in which life is brief, time is fleeting, and opportunities come and go like the tide. Ecclesiastes hits us with an honesty that is almost uncomfortable. It strips away illusions, forcing us to face the reality that our time on earth is limited. But in that honesty, God gives us a call — a call not to despair, but to diligence, urgency, and purpose.
Today’s message is part of our “Go! And…” series — and today God tells us:
“Go! And Do It with All Your Might!”
You only have one life on this side of eternity. What you do for Christ today matters.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT): “Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”
Let’s unpack this, understand it, and — by God’s grace — apply it, for the glory of Jesus Christ.
1. GO! AND WORK WITH GOD’S URGENCY
The Hebrew phrase translated as “whatever you do, do well” is built on the verb ?asâ (??????) — to act, accomplish, perform, produce.
The phrase “do well” is literally: “Do it with your koach (?????) — your full strength, power, and might.”
This is a command of maximum effort, wholehearted commitment.
Solomon is not commanding frantic busyness, but faithful intentionality.
He is not advocating workaholism, but wholehearted obedience.
Why?
Because the second half of the verse says:
“For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”
The word for “grave” is Sheol (???????) — the realm of the dead.
In earthly terms, once you die, earthly opportunity ends.
While you have breath, you have opportunity.
This is not a call to fear death — it is a call to use life for eternal purposes while you have it.
John Piper once wrote: “It is a tragedy to waste your life. God created you for something magnificent and eternal.”
And church — that is true.
Your life matters because Christ redeemed it.
Your work matters because Christ sees it.
Your obedience matters because Christ rewards it.
Divine urgency is not panic — it is purpose.
2. GO! AND WORK FOR THE GLORY OF JESUS
Colossians 3:23–24 (NLT): “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
This is the New Testament parallel to Ecclesiastes 9:10.
The Greek word for “work willingly” is ek psyches (?? ?????) — “from the soul, with your entire inner self.”
Christians do not work for earthly applause but for a heavenly audience.
Tim Keller said: “When you make your work your identity, you become a slave to it. But when Christ is your identity, your work becomes an act of worship.”
As believers, we live for Christ, we serve Christ, we love Christ —
and so we work for Christ.
Whether you are sweeping a floor, leading a meeting, raising children, caring for the elderly, preaching a sermon —
IT ALL COUNTS when it is done for Jesus.
The Missionary’s Broom
A missionary in Africa once wrote that after preaching to thousands, the Lord whispered to his heart, “Now sweep the church with the same passion.”
He said, “I realised that the broom matters when done for Christ.”
Nothing done for Jesus is meaningless.
Everything done for Jesus is worship.
3. GO! AND LIVE WITH HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE
Psalm 90:12 (NLT): “Teach us to realise the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
The Hebrew phrase limnôt yamênu (???????? ????????) literally means:
“Teach us to number our days accurately.”
Why?
Because wisdom grows when we understand how brief life really is.
When you know time is short, you begin to prioritise what matters:
– Christ
– His Kingdom
– His church
– His mission
– His Gospel
Life is not measured by length but by impact for eternity.
Charles Stanley once said: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Such wisdom reminds us that our calling is not to achieve earthly success, but heavenly faithfulness.
4. GO! AND SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Matthew 6:33 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Jesus calls us to Kingdom-first living.
The Greek word for “seek” is zeteo (??t??) — continuous, intentional, relentless pursuit.
Christ is not an add-on — He is the centre.
Christ is not a Sunday activity — He is Lord of all.
Christ is not one priority — He is THE priority.
Max Lucado said: “God doesn’t just want your minutes; He wants your moments.”
Christ wants your heart, your time, your energy, your focus —
Your whole might.
5. GO! AND LIVE READY FOR ETERNITY
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT): “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”
This is not judgement for salvation —
This is the believer’s reward seat.
What you do with your life matters.
What you do with your calling matters.
What you do with the Gospel matters.
R.T. Kendall said: “One day you will give an account. Live today in light of that day.”
And that is exactly Solomon’s point.
You have one life — so don’t waste it.
With every breath, serve Christ.
With every opportunity, honour Christ.
With every choice, glorify Christ.
The Painter Who Signed His Work with Blood
An artist once painted a masterpiece. After he finished the final stroke, he pricked his finger and signed the canvas in blood.
He said, “This painting cost me something.”
Your life in Christ will cost you something — but it is worth everything because He is worthy of everything.
And our Saviour paid for our salvation with His precious blood.
GOSPEL PRESENTATION — “Do It with All Your Might” Begins with Coming to Christ
The greatest tragedy is not wasting your life.
The greatest tragedy would be to live your whole life without Christ.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world, lived a sinless life, gave Himself on the cross, shed His precious blood, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
He conquered sin.
He conquered death.
He conquered the grave.
He conquered hell.
So that you could be forgiven.
So that you could be saved.
So that you could have eternal life.
But you must respond.
You must turn from your sin — that’s repentance.
You must trust in Jesus — that’s faith.
You must confess Him as Lord — that’s salvation.
Jesus is calling you today.
Do not delay.
Tomorrow is not promised.
Come to Christ now.
CALL TO ACTION — “Whatever You Do… Do It with Your Might for Christ”
So here is God’s call to you today:
Go! And… Serve Christ with All Your Might.
Go! And… Use your gifts for His glory.
Go! And… Live urgently, faithfully, joyfully.
Go! And… Put the Kingdom first.
Go! And… Live ready for eternity.
Go! And… Honour Christ in every moment.
Do not waste your life — Invest it in the One who gave His life for you.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If you have never trusted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I invite you — right now — to call upon His Name.
“Lord Jesus, I come to You.
I repent of my sin.
I believe You died and rose again for me.
I trust You as my Saviour.
I surrender to You as my Lord.
Take my life — every part — and make me Yours.”
If that is the cry of your heart, Christ will save you.
BENEDICTION:
May the Lord strengthen your hands,
encourage your heart,
and empower your life.
May every step you take, every task you complete,
and every choice you make
be done for the glory of Jesus Christ,
with all your might,
until the day He calls you home.
Amen.
