May 4, 2026, Monday Evening

"King Solomon's assessment of a value-lived life"

Separating what makes a value- versus vanity-lived life, according to the book of Ecclesiastes

OPENING: Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

SCENE-SETTER: King Solomon, son of King David, begins this book by questioning what matters in life (above OPENING verses): "In my opinion, nothing is worthwhile; everything is futile (vanity). For what does a man get for all his hard work?" The key word, "vanity"--meaning a self-centered and worldly life full of emptiness, futility, and folly--means nothing can bring lasting satisfaction to living life without God in man's heart (aka, being saved). Given that, the apostle Paul told us that our labor "is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58), which Solomon also concluded in the end of this book (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Solomon's perceived vanity of life
- He questioned the point of working (laboring or accomplishing a career-long job) when no one will remember what you did or how you changed the world (Ecclesiastes 1:11)
- He concluded that his joy for his life-long accomplished work was his only reward -- there will be no Heavenly (or eternal) reward; translated, "There was no profit under the sun." (c. 2:10-11)
  - The phrase "under the sun" (and "chasing the wind") means man's natural life lived apart from God, and correlates to what vanity is and its outcome
- And then he "hated life" because he realized all the work he did "under the sun" was vanity (c. 2:17)
- And then he hated all his labor done under the sun because he "must leave it to the man who will come after me," not knowing whether that heir or foreigner--who didn't labor for it--is wise or a fool, whether he will squander or waste its fruits and profits (c. 2:19, 6:1-2)
However, he then concluded "that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink, and his job, as he realized that even this pleasure and heritage was from the hand of God ... who gives the riches and wealth." (c. 2:24, 3:22, 5:18-19)
- The difference in the job being vanity vs. not is that "God gives those who please Him wisdom, knowledge, and joy [which is not vanity]; but if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away from him and gives it to those who please him" [which is vanity]. (c. 2:26)
- To provide additional comfort that our labor may not be in vain, the apostle Paul connects his verse in the SCENE-SETTER with what he wrote in Colossians 3:22-23: "You slaves must always obey your earthly masters, not only trying to please them when they are watching you but all the time; obey them willingly because of your love for the Lord and because you want to please Him. Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for."
Solomon's other examples of vanity:
- For a skillful man, the basic motive of success makes him the envy of his neighbor (example: "on the job") (c. 4:4)
- A man without companion, alone, without even a son or brother, yet he works ceaselessly, never believing he has enough riches (c. 4:8)
- "He who loves money will never have enough ... he must worry and suffer insomnia" (c. 5:10,12)
- Popularity passes away so "It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king who refuses all advice." (c. 4:13-16)
- "Dreaming instead of doing is foolishness ... fear God instead." (c. 5:7)
Solomon's examples of a value-lived life:
- A good name is better than great riches (c. 7:1)
- To be wise is better than being rich (c. 7:11)
- Be aware that a small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor (c. 10:l)
- It is better to accept the criticism of the wise than to be praised by a fool (c. 7:5-6)
- A wise man's words are not quick and rash--his words are few; but a fool is known by his many words and thinks he knows the future (c. 5:2-3, 10:12-14)
- "Patience is better than pride! Don't be quick-tempered--that is being a fool." (c. 7:8-9)
  - That agrees with the Apostle Paul writing, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (Galatians 5:22-23)
- "Don't long for the 'good old days,' for you don't know whether they were any better than these! (Ecclesiastes 7:10)
Solomon also cautions that no one knows God's will for the wicked AND righteous--"All is chance!" (c. 9:1)
- While some of the righteous die young and some of the wicked have prolonged days after continuous sinning, it is far better off to be the man who fears God because the wicked will not live long, good lives (c. 7:15, 8:11-13)
- The reverend Billy Graham, in his post-9/11 message at the Washington National Cathedral, had this to say when he was asked "hundreds of times in my life why God allows tragedy and suffering"
  - And he had this to say about why God allows suffering
Solomon's advice to the young people:
- Rejoice in your youth because it's wonderful to be young--enjoy and make the most of every minute of it! Yet know that you can make serious mistakes (c. 11:9-10)
- "Don't let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator;" honor him with your youth before you grow old and your bodily senses fade and fail (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, balance, and awareness) (c. 12:1-5)
In closing, Solomon wrote, "Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. (c. 12:13)

CLOSER
A vanity-filled life is a life without God in it and will be a wasted life
A value-filled life is to work as if you're working for the Lord, fear Him and love Him (which means keeping his Commandments)
Solomon hated his life and job for what he accomplished under the sun (the vanity) but he concluded that to eat, drink and enjoy doing your job to please God (fear Him and keep His commandments) is a gift from God, your heritage and not in vain
After you leave your body, you will appear before the Lord to give an account for all things you have done, said and thought in this life--good and bad, public and in secret; so make it VALUE-lived (Ecclesiastes 3:15, 11:9, 12:14 and Colossians 3:24-25)
- After all, in the end--as the Apostle Paul wrote--"...no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord." (1 Corinthians 2:9)