Ec 4:4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
5 The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.
6 Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
8 There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune. (NKJV)
There are many things that drive people through life, some good and some bad. There are three driving forces that are not good that I would like to talk to you about this morning. They are material things, fame or approval and anger.
What is your driving force? What makes you tick? Do you even know? For what do you work? For what do you toil? Why do you live the way you do? Does it even matter? For what do you give your energy to? What matters most in your life? I know what many will say, (“Put God first”) but what does your actions say? Jesus ask almost the same question.
Mt 16:26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (NKJV)
What is the most important thing in your life? I did not say what do you think should be the most important thing in your life. I said what is the most important thing in your life? The answer is that which drives you or that which motivates you. That which fulfills your desires or that which urges you along as you complete your days here on this earth.
I know there are some who trudge through life without a clue of what drives them. They just want to get by. They are satisfied with just making it. They don’t realize there purpose of life and don’t really care what motivates them. They just want to be left alone to do their thing until they die. But then comes the judgment!
To some their driving force is material things. They want all they can get materially and that is what they strive for. They want monetary recognition and things that they can hold on to. But you know the statement is true, “You can not take it with you.” Those who’s driving force is materialism want to be a step above every one else. They want to drive the best car and have the biggest house. They really want to be envied and sought after by the elite, and they are! In our text we read:
Ec 4:4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. (NKJV)
Man will envy you if you have money and things but is that what’s profitable. What will a man give for his soul? As we read in Mt. 16:26, what profit is it to a man if he gains the world and loses his soul? The answer, there is no profit to a lost person who dies in that state. They are whisk off into eternity to receive their reward of eternal damnation to suffer the consequences of their material filled life. If your driving force is material things then you need to change you driving force. Your driving force, that which makes you tick was meant to be the purpose and will of all Mighty God!
To some their driving force is to be accepted or approved of. They do everything in their power to gain the approval of people. They want to be in the “in crowd”. They want to be recognized by worldly people as beautiful, popular, intelligent, witty and athletic. They give their all to be approved. Their driving force to be accepted starts at a very young age and often sponsored by their parents. Their parents often wanting their children to be what they think they failed to be. The Holy Spirit speaking through the writings of James and Paul says:
Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? (NKJV)
2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."
17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." (NKJV)
To be accepted or approved of people was not what God had in His mind when He created you and I. God intended for us to do His will and to be accepted and approved by Him. He has great things planned for us that supercede all that man could ever offer of us.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (KJV)
(It is of great importance that our driving force be that to fulfill the purpose of God!)
The third thing to some the driving force is anger. They are the ones of whom it is say, “That’s just their nature. They don’t mean anything by it, that just the way they are.” The driving force of anger is often shown by out burst and often what they don’t say. They clam up or blow up. The driving force of anger, unless dealt with, will last a life time. The force of anger and resentment motivates the person to feel good about themselves. You often hear the statements, “I told him!” or “I let her have it with both barrels!” My brothers and sisters this ought not to be so. The apostle Paul writing to Ephesians says:
Eph 4:26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. (NKJV)
In the verses above there is one thing that you and I must take heed to. We know at some point in time in our lives we are going to get angry. If and when we do the Holy Spirit warns us that with anger also comes the temptation of sin. The warning is “do not sin”. We also read that with anger and temptation of sin comes an ease of “giving place to the devil”. If your driving force is anger it is time for a change!
Conclusion: Your driving force must be God centered. You and I must realize our purpose of life is to do the good will of the Father. It is He who has created us and not vise versa! There is a poem that sums up what our driving force in life should be.
What is your driving force?
What is your driving force, that which makes you tick?
Do you fulfill His purpose and are you among the quick? (alive)
What is your motivation? Tell me of your zeal.
Will He find you working or motionless and still?
What is your driving force? Is it what money brings?
Is that your goal in life? Is it material things?
Do you strive for wealth with all your zeal and might?
Is that your resolution? Is that what you deem right?
Or do you strive for glory, approval and for fame,
That you might be accepted and have a worldly name?
Is that your urge for greatness that you might be the best,
As you pursue your splendor a step above the rest.
Or do you strive for greatness through power and control,
With anger as your weapon and malice as you go.
Do you still count resentment, is it a crutch you need?
As you march into battle, ill will as your creed.
Now listen to me clearly and listen as you read,
The Bible’s full of goodness and it must be your lead.
Your driving force is purpose and to God that does belong.
To praise, to honor and fulfill, with Him there is no wrong!
So if money is your driving force or fame is you goal,
Or anger is the fire that torments your precious soul,
There’s room for repentance, so change to do His will
And He will give you purpose and fill your life with zeal! By Glen Lawhun
What ever your driving force is, if it be anything other than the purpose of God, why not this morning come forward in rededication to do the will of God. If you are Christian and your focus on life is not what it should be, will you come and ask for the prayers of the saints that you might know God’s purpose in your life. If you are not a Christian your purpose must begin with becoming a Christian. Will you come believing with a willingness to change your life, confessing your belief in the one and only Son of God and be buried into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit and then you can fulfill your purpose of life and your true driving force.
