Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says...Bible reading, week 4, day 5, and a picture!!!

Today's verses are Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, which read,

v.18 - Here is what I have seen to be good:  It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.

Last time Solomon focused on the negative of wealth held instead of used for God's glory.  The picture was someone clinching with a closed hand what God has given and then losing it all.  He then is faced with a situation, a born son, who comes and he is unprepared.  This person spends his days in darkness and so the question is, "What could it look like with a proper perspective of wealth given to us by God?"

Solomon has seen this and he calls it good.  It is a person who acknowledges that what he or she has is God given and even the very life that they have received.  It is also a person who is laboring rather than being a sluggard.  Solomon says "it is appropriate to enjoy the life, to eat, drink, and experience good in the labor."  We have the opportunity to use some of the labor to enjoy life to appreciate what is around us and labored by us.  It is good for us to have these times to step way because we have labored to be able to do so.  

Thank you God for vacations and those days off to get in a bike ride or a hike through Starved Rock.  Thank you God that You made us in a way to appreciate and benefit from working and the pleasures of life.

v.19, 20 - Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor.  This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.  

What a great God who gives those who have a right view of wealth and what to do with it properly a benefit of the labor.  The person is someone who is not vacationing all the time but at work for the Lord doing what is the joy of his heart and His, capital "H" heart.  It is stressed again that the person realizes that this wealth and benefit has come from God and is a gift from Him.  He or she is also listening to God and taking instruction from Him to keep occupied with the Lord's work.  Solomon says this is good.

Finding that balance in a world that emphasizes personal pleasure as a highest good is difficult at times.  We will tend to go to comfort of ourselves over the concern of others and the commission of Christ.  Solomon is letting us see that we can stop and enjoy and it is to our benefit to do so if we are about the Master's business.  Am I speaking to myself right now?  Yes, I am.  So maybe I better stop typing for the day.  Let us pray.

"Lord, may we realize we are so rich.  We have so much that has been put in our hands from You.  Help us to use it for Your glory today and see the pleasure You provide by serving You.  May we be busy about You and let beneficial pleasure be a byproduct of it.  Amen."

Pastor Adam

It has been a busy time away because part of this trip was planning for our future. Stephanie will be 55 this year and 54 for me.  Sometime in the future Stephanie might be this way to help with her parents.  They are good now but they are 88 and 89.  So after having the blessing of helping Jason get further education for ministry we are purchasing a single wide mobile home and lot just up the street from Stephanie's parents.  We already have it rented for this winter season so that will help with the payments.  It was previously Stephanie's parents so we know the condition of the unit.  I will attach a picture.  We are praying this will be a wise move and so our vacation time is full of change overs and preparing it for the 3 month renters.