I particularly enjoyed this issue of your newsletter.
Contemplating the musings of the author of Ecclesiastes can be depressing, but it can also provide one with a sense of solidarity with humanity, as we all seem to be in the same boat, chasing after the same “hevel” options, leading ultimately to death.
As we enter the Christmas season again, I am reminded of Charles Dickens’ observation in “A Christmas Carol” which also promoted this idea of solidarity with humanity, admonishing us to think of our neighbors as “fellow travelers to the gave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys”.
But this message of Ecclesiastes must not be taken out of context. It is there to provide us with proof that God understands why life … the very life that He gave us… seems futile and pointless. The broader message of the Bible is that life is just that - futile and pointless - if our focus is only chasing after material gain or chasing after the admiration and acceptance of our fellow man. Both of these pursuits yield a net payout of zero when we die. As Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?” He further instructs us to instead build up of "treasures" in heaven, where eternal reward does not pass away.
Your essay below is thoughtful, and spot-on throughout almost its entirety, but then, the last few sentences turn in the wrong direction as you write:
“… this ride is all there ever will be. I will go to the grave with no bullets left in the chamber. If there is nothing to save for, then I should die with zero.”
This unfortunately indicate that the broader purpose of this life is still unclear for you.
This life is indeed not all there will ever be.
However, what we do right now counts for eternity.
You do well to read the sad news of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, and understand that God sympathizes with our human plight.
Now move on to the New Testament and read “The Good News”.
For the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
You just received the most greatest respect from me. The Ecclesiastes information should cause each & every one of us to take pause and review our position in life and to review our core values. For you to be so bold and to stand tall and bring Ecclesiastes forward - Your character speaks volumes. Keep your feet on the ground & Keep Reaching for the stars. Continue your march forward - Tell the truth & Build your army. Many blessings unto you.
Ecclesiastes is a profound piece of wisdom literature on the nature of meaning and significance, but it doesn’t stop where you left it. Here’s the bottom line: “Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
I find it interesting that the vast majority of those with the most money never seem to have enough. I understand this is human nature. It is interesting, both in the Scriptures, and ever since, that the poorest heard and believed the gospel most readily, while the rich and powerful were worried it might erode some of both. The Rev. John Wesley said he never worried about there always being Methodists, but he feared that, as Christians, they would work so industriously and become prosperous and forget what is really important. Thanks for your column.
This is why the Bible tells us that it is easier for a camel to get on its knees and squeeze through the tiny gate called the "Eye of The Needle", than for a rich man to see the Kingdom of God. The message is not that riches are sinful. The message is that the vast majority of people who attain great riches then say to themselves and to others, "What need have I of this 'God' of whom you speak? For my power and the strength of my own hand have made me this wealth."
I was lying on the couch trying to take a nap but the words from this morning’s essay keep rewinding, playing over and over in my mind. I got up and reread the article, only this time I meditated on each line slowly, trying to squeeze out all the unspoken wisdom. Your a good writer but today you took it to a new level with your examples from Ecclesiastes. As I reflect back on my life thus far, the most memorable highlights have been one and two week hunting trip in the woods. The bonds formed and the experiences encountered with good friends, give me the meaning of life. Money allows these trips to happen, but plays no other role in my memory of them. When I die, I will have lived, with no regret.
Enjoyed and appreciated your insightful reflections and apt quotations. Thank you for sharing. From my (disad)vantage point, luck and karma (not the same thing, of course) play their roles along with our efforts to play the cards we are dealt. The notion I particularly appreciated being reminded of was the trade-off between time and ‘wealth’. But when we are truly relishing the Now (how rarely, alas) Time is Wealth - truly, fully appreciating the Here and Now is Wealth that money cannot buy.
Reflecting on my intro above (the quote from ‘Rust Never Sleeps’, I realize how easy it is to get sucked into a mindset of ‘Do! Do! Do!’ and being sucked away from the pure joy (or suffering) of being.
Jay,
I particularly enjoyed this issue of your newsletter.
Contemplating the musings of the author of Ecclesiastes can be depressing, but it can also provide one with a sense of solidarity with humanity, as we all seem to be in the same boat, chasing after the same “hevel” options, leading ultimately to death.
As we enter the Christmas season again, I am reminded of Charles Dickens’ observation in “A Christmas Carol” which also promoted this idea of solidarity with humanity, admonishing us to think of our neighbors as “fellow travelers to the gave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys”.
But this message of Ecclesiastes must not be taken out of context. It is there to provide us with proof that God understands why life … the very life that He gave us… seems futile and pointless. The broader message of the Bible is that life is just that - futile and pointless - if our focus is only chasing after material gain or chasing after the admiration and acceptance of our fellow man. Both of these pursuits yield a net payout of zero when we die. As Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?” He further instructs us to instead build up of "treasures" in heaven, where eternal reward does not pass away.
Your essay below is thoughtful, and spot-on throughout almost its entirety, but then, the last few sentences turn in the wrong direction as you write:
“… this ride is all there ever will be. I will go to the grave with no bullets left in the chamber. If there is nothing to save for, then I should die with zero.”
This unfortunately indicate that the broader purpose of this life is still unclear for you.
This life is indeed not all there will ever be.
However, what we do right now counts for eternity.
You do well to read the sad news of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, and understand that God sympathizes with our human plight.
Now move on to the New Testament and read “The Good News”.
For the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
You just received the most greatest respect from me. The Ecclesiastes information should cause each & every one of us to take pause and review our position in life and to review our core values. For you to be so bold and to stand tall and bring Ecclesiastes forward - Your character speaks volumes. Keep your feet on the ground & Keep Reaching for the stars. Continue your march forward - Tell the truth & Build your army. Many blessings unto you.
Yes. I agree. Reading (and ADMITTING to reading) anything from God’s Word has set you HEAD and SHOULDERS above 99 % of your peers.
Read Proverbs, too.
Solomon only asked for wisdom, and because he did (and not for earthly treasures) God blessed him with wealth as well.
Blessed !!! Blessings !!!
Ecclesiastes is a profound piece of wisdom literature on the nature of meaning and significance, but it doesn’t stop where you left it. Here’s the bottom line: “Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 NIV
Words well spoken. Glad to read your submission.
I find it interesting that the vast majority of those with the most money never seem to have enough. I understand this is human nature. It is interesting, both in the Scriptures, and ever since, that the poorest heard and believed the gospel most readily, while the rich and powerful were worried it might erode some of both. The Rev. John Wesley said he never worried about there always being Methodists, but he feared that, as Christians, they would work so industriously and become prosperous and forget what is really important. Thanks for your column.
This is why the Bible tells us that it is easier for a camel to get on its knees and squeeze through the tiny gate called the "Eye of The Needle", than for a rich man to see the Kingdom of God. The message is not that riches are sinful. The message is that the vast majority of people who attain great riches then say to themselves and to others, "What need have I of this 'God' of whom you speak? For my power and the strength of my own hand have made me this wealth."
Excellent reflections.
Nothing wrong with putting life into true perspective from time to time.
My favourite verse from that book is: Vanity of vanities, all is vanity'.
I was lying on the couch trying to take a nap but the words from this morning’s essay keep rewinding, playing over and over in my mind. I got up and reread the article, only this time I meditated on each line slowly, trying to squeeze out all the unspoken wisdom. Your a good writer but today you took it to a new level with your examples from Ecclesiastes. As I reflect back on my life thus far, the most memorable highlights have been one and two week hunting trip in the woods. The bonds formed and the experiences encountered with good friends, give me the meaning of life. Money allows these trips to happen, but plays no other role in my memory of them. When I die, I will have lived, with no regret.
“Better to burn out than to fade away
My, my, hey, hey . . . “
- Neil Young/‘Rust Never Sleeps’
Enjoyed and appreciated your insightful reflections and apt quotations. Thank you for sharing. From my (disad)vantage point, luck and karma (not the same thing, of course) play their roles along with our efforts to play the cards we are dealt. The notion I particularly appreciated being reminded of was the trade-off between time and ‘wealth’. But when we are truly relishing the Now (how rarely, alas) Time is Wealth - truly, fully appreciating the Here and Now is Wealth that money cannot buy.
Reflecting on my intro above (the quote from ‘Rust Never Sleeps’, I realize how easy it is to get sucked into a mindset of ‘Do! Do! Do!’ and being sucked away from the pure joy (or suffering) of being.
Well said!
Just joined your news letter and wow not a truer word spoken. Im sharing this with my children.
Thanks Jay👍