The Vapour of Striving·Thursday · October 8
Great Works That Turn to Dust
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Ecclesiastes 2:4–9, 11
I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown. I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male singers and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men: musical instruments of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Reflection
After testing pleasure, the Preacher tried great work. He built big houses, planted vineyards, made parks, and dug pools of water. He bought servants and gathered gold and silver. He became very famous and great. He was like a billionaire building an empire.
But in verse 11, the gavel fell. He looked at all the work of his hands and saw that there was nothing to be gained under the sun. The houses will fall, the parks will dry up, and the money will stay behind when we die.
Watch
Theology
The Hope
You do not need to build an empire to matter; your value is safely given to you by God's love.
Daily life
The Heart
We often work until we collapse, trying to build a big name for ourselves so we feel important.
Prayer
Lord God, forgive me for working only for my own pride. Remind me that the things I build on earth will turn to dust, and help me build my life on Christ. Amen.
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