Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
Mornin’ mih Neighbs! How all yuh doing eh? I certainly hope these few words of mine, (smile) reach oonoo in good physical health, a peaceful frame of mind, and a great joy in your hearts and souls because of your overwhelming LOVE for Almighty God, which translates into health, wealth and prosperity. Hn! Does that make sense? But you all know what I mean, and it does serve as a good jumping off point for Today’s Bit. Now, per the scholars, there is disagreement over the authorship of Ecclesiastes; whether it was Solomon or some unknown person. Most people tend to lean towards Sol’s authorship, as I do, for who else was wise, wealthy and had free time enough to conduct such extensive research and come up with the truisms that fill the Book. As far as I know, only Sol had all the parts to do it. But regardless of who wrote it, it’s still a bountiful well of wisdom pertaining to man’s life and purpose on this earth. First, we are reminded that we came forth naked and will return the same way, taking nothing of our labour with us. (vs.15) That is certainly a rough circumstance to endure, for ‘what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?’ (vs.16) None really my Friends. Working one’s whole life and not being able to take any of your material possessions or accomplishments with you is definitely a bummer. Makes you want to ask why do it then? Especially when one suffers many setbacks, sorrows and sickness in compiling the fruit of one’s labour. (vs.17) The first thing to accept and write deep in our consciousness my people, is that wealth is a very poor foundation on which to build our lives as it is easily lost, but requires much hard work to accumulate. The second principle to learn is that all our human efforts are vanity, in vain, unless vetted, blessed by God. Sol declares this in Psalm 127. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.’ (Ps.127:1-2) So my people, unless the Lord is involved in our activities, we basically labour in vain. Then what’s the purpose of labouring, if without God you fail, and with God, you can’t take anything with you? Understand Friends, when Jesus’ kingdom is proclaimed, we won’t need any of the stuff we now labour for. All our needs will be amply met then, and whatever we work for now, with God’s blessing, is for us to enjoy in this life. And enjoy doesn’t mean to live a wastrel’s life of excess and indiscipline, but to savour it like good food or fine wine, and to use it wisely in furthering the Word and work of Christ. Remember, we’re only stewards, safe-keepers of our earthly belongings. Oh Friends, Sol, in his heyday, decided to undertake some research into the purpose of life and ventured into a world filled with pleasure. But he was ultimately disappointed. ‘Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.’ (Eccl. 2:11) Yes my people, seeking fulfillment through pleasure is futile and like grasping at the wind. But sadly, many of us, thousands of years later, still try to find our raison d’être in pleasure. And Sol’s conclusion? ‘Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life which God giveth him.’ Hallelujah! That’s one conclusion; it’s fitting for one to enjoy the benefits of one’s labour on this earth. And Bruh Paul concurs with Sol’s reasoning. ‘Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.’ (1 Tim.6:17) Then Sol ends; ‘for it is his portion.’ Yes my brethren, the profit of our labour is our heritage, our entitlement. As the Teacher pointed out earlier: ‘There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.’ (Eccl.2:24) And there’s the crux of the matter my people: It’s all from the hand of God. Unless we work and enjoy our life as a gift of God, for the purpose of serving and glorifying Him, our lives will be miserable, futile and aimless. It is the strong foundation of God in our lives that makes whatever we accomplish or accumulate worthwhile. Otherwise it’s all in vain. And the moral of the story? Enjoyment is a gift of God, and we must use our short earthly life spans as motivation to live it to the fullest. That’s God’s desire for us. As Jesus said: ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) Yes Friends, our earthly purpose is to work, enjoy and share whatever we have, living to spread God’s Word and do His will, because all that we have or accomplish, comes as a direct blessing from Him. Let’s take this message to heart nuh, and stop complaining about what we don’t have, instead enjoy what we do have, and share it with the less fortunate, while constantly giving thanks and praise to the Most High God Jehovah, for His wonderful mercy, kindness and forgiveness to the sinful children of men. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen! Much LOVE mih people!…for all we are or have…depends entirely on Him…
Mornin’ mih Neighbs! How all yuh doing eh? I certainly hope these few words of mine, (smile) reach oonoo in good physical health, a peaceful frame of mind, and a great joy in your hearts and souls because of your overwhelming LOVE for Almighty God, which translates into health, wealth and prosperity. Hn! Does that make sense? But you all know what I mean, and it does serve as a good jumping off point for Today’s Bit. Now, per the scholars, there is disagreement over the authorship of Ecclesiastes; whether it was Solomon or some unknown person. Most people tend to lean towards Sol’s authorship, as I do, for who else was wise, wealthy and had free time enough to conduct such extensive research and come up with the truisms that fill the Book. As far as I know, only Sol had all the parts to do it. But regardless of who wrote it, it’s still a bountiful well of wisdom pertaining to man’s life and purpose on this earth. First, we are reminded that we came forth naked and will return the same way, taking nothing of our labour with us. (vs.15) That is certainly a rough circumstance to endure, for ‘what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?’ (vs.16) None really my Friends. Working one’s whole life and not being able to take any of your material possessions or accomplishments with you is definitely a bummer. Makes you want to ask why do it then? Especially when one suffers many setbacks, sorrows and sickness in compiling the fruit of one’s labour. (vs.17) The first thing to accept and write deep in our consciousness my people, is that wealth is a very poor foundation on which to build our lives as it is easily lost, but requires much hard work to accumulate. The second principle to learn is that all our human efforts are vanity, in vain, unless vetted, blessed by God. Sol declares this in Psalm 127. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.’ (Ps.127:1-2) So my people, unless the Lord is involved in our activities, we basically labour in vain. Then what’s the purpose of labouring, if without God you fail, and with God, you can’t take anything with you? Understand Friends, when Jesus’ kingdom is proclaimed, we won’t need any of the stuff we now labour for. All our needs will be amply met then, and whatever we work for now, with God’s blessing, is for us to enjoy in this life. And enjoy doesn’t mean to live a wastrel’s life of excess and indiscipline, but to savour it like good food or fine wine, and to use it wisely in furthering the Word and work of Christ. Remember, we’re only stewards, safe-keepers of our earthly belongings. Oh Friends, Sol, in his heyday, decided to undertake some research into the purpose of life and ventured into a world filled with pleasure. But he was ultimately disappointed. ‘Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.’ (Eccl. 2:11) Yes my people, seeking fulfillment through pleasure is futile and like grasping at the wind. But sadly, many of us, thousands of years later, still try to find our raison d’être in pleasure. And Sol’s conclusion? ‘Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life which God giveth him.’ Hallelujah! That’s one conclusion; it’s fitting for one to enjoy the benefits of one’s labour on this earth. And Bruh Paul concurs with Sol’s reasoning. ‘Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.’ (1 Tim.6:17) Then Sol ends; ‘for it is his portion.’ Yes my brethren, the profit of our labour is our heritage, our entitlement. As the Teacher pointed out earlier: ‘There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.’ (Eccl.2:24) And there’s the crux of the matter my people: It’s all from the hand of God. Unless we work and enjoy our life as a gift of God, for the purpose of serving and glorifying Him, our lives will be miserable, futile and aimless. It is the strong foundation of God in our lives that makes whatever we accomplish or accumulate worthwhile. Otherwise it’s all in vain. And the moral of the story? Enjoyment is a gift of God, and we must use our short earthly life spans as motivation to live it to the fullest. That’s God’s desire for us. As Jesus said: ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) Yes Friends, our earthly purpose is to work, enjoy and share whatever we have, living to spread God’s Word and do His will, because all that we have or accomplish, comes as a direct blessing from Him. Let’s take this message to heart nuh, and stop complaining about what we don’t have, instead enjoy what we do have, and share it with the less fortunate, while constantly giving thanks and praise to the Most High God Jehovah, for His wonderful mercy, kindness and forgiveness to the sinful children of men. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen! Much LOVE mih people!…for all we are or have…depends entirely on Him…
SCRIP-BITS 