In light of Ecclesiastes 9:6, how should Christians view their earthly pursuits? Setting the Scene “Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:6) Earthly Pursuits Are Fleeting • Everything “under the sun” stops at the grave; nothing temporal can follow us into eternity (Job 1:21; 1 John 2:17). • Even the strongest passions—love, hate, envy—evaporate when life ends. • Since all earthly endeavors expire, they must never eclipse what lasts forever. Holding Our Possessions with an Open Hand • Wealth is a tool, not a trophy (1 Timothy 6:17-19). • Material blessings are to be enjoyed gratefully yet held loosely, ready to be shared. • Hoarding ignores the reality that soon “they will never again have a share” in earthly goods. Pursuing Work with Eternal Vision • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24). • Faithful labor matters because it can glorify God and serve people, even though the paycheck and accolades fade. • Aim for fruit that remains—lives touched by the gospel, families strengthened, justice promoted. Enjoying God’s Good Gifts without Idolatry • Ecclesiastes itself commends ordinary joys (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25), but always tempo‐ rarily. • Pleasure becomes idolatry when it steals affection reserved for Christ (Matthew 22:37). • Receive gifts thankfully; refuse to let them master you (1 Corinthians 6:12). Practical Heart Checks • Where is my treasure stored—earth or heaven? (Matthew 6:19-21) • Would losing this pursuit derail my joy in Christ? • Am I leveraging resources for kingdom impact or merely self-comfort? • Do my calendar and bank statement reveal eternal priorities? A Life Anchored Beyond the Sun • Set minds “on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). • Do everything “for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Live ready; tomorrow is not guaranteed (James 4:13-15). When earthly pursuits are viewed through the lens of Ecclesiastes 9:6, they become meaningful only as they funnel worship upward and love outward—never as ends in themselves. |
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