Talking points from Green Bay Community Church guest speaker Dan Thomas' Sunday message (Ecclesiastes 5 and 6):
1-The worst question someone can ask in life is: “What’s in it for me?” That selfish attitude can ruin relationships, marriages and churches. It was a question Solomon wrestled with in Ecclesiastes.
2-Don’t be surprised when people are oppressed or treated poorly. The way the world works is that if we’re looking out for ourselves, somebody is going to get the short end of the stick.
3-Whoever loves money never has enough. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. (Ecc 5:10-11). But money itself isn’t the problem. It’s how we view money that destroys us. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim 6:10).
4-People looking out for themselves end up with heartache, hurt and pain, according to Solomon based on his own experience. The more you have the harder you try to keep it, which adds to your stress. Solomon concluded that if we can’t enjoy our prosperity, what good is it? At end of his life Solomon looked back and was writing to young people trying to call them to a different life because he felt so much pain.
5-There was one glimmer of hope in Chapter 5:18, which says that from what Solomon observed, it was appropriate for people to eat, drink and find satisfaction in the few days God has given them. This is a gift from God, who keeps them occupied with a gladness of heart.
6-Finding contentment means trusting God and what He brings you in life. That’s called faith. It’s acknowledging that we’re not in control and we’re willing to accept what comes and live in the goodness of it. Instead of being a hand, we must choose to be a glove. That means choosing to be the one that is used by God. He has given us a passion and gifts, and we should pursue that with contentment and be OK with whatever he chooses to do in our lives.
7-The greatest example of someone not in it for himself was Jesus, who emptied himself and became a man. Jesus never stopped being God while on earth, but he was content to be human and was a responder to his father’s desires. Jesus’ ambition came from the father. His motivation was to obey the father.
8-God did incredible things through Jesus. What’s amazing is the same offer is given to us. Just as Jesus consented to his father’s wishes, we can do the same with Jesus, who says, ‘I am in you and you are in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing.’
9-Solomon expressed anger in Ecclesiastes because the fruits of his labor on earth would eventually go to someone who didn’t work for them. The contrast between Solomon and Jesus is striking. Jesus came to earth to work on our behalf. He was glad his labor produced something for those who did no labor by themselves. We can’t earn our way to heaven. Jesus labored for us so we can enjoy the goodness of what He has given.
10-We can miss the adventure of the Christian life by getting caught up in pursuits that distract us from being content. It’s possible we are missing the gospel because of things in life we’re pursuing, and we’re trying to be the hand when he wants us to be a glove. My life is not mine, it’s His.
