Today we will read Ecclesiastes 5: 8-20:

8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and right, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But all things considered, this is an advantage for a land: a king for a plowed field.10 The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity.  11 When goods increase, those who eat them increase, and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

12 Sweet is the sleep of laborers, whether they eat little or much, but the abundance of the rich will not let them sleep. 13 There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands. 15 As they came from their mother’s womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil that they may carry away with their hands.16 This also is a grievous ill: just as they came, so shall they go, and what gain do they have from toiling for the wind? 17 Besides, all their days they eat in darkness, in much anger and sickness and resentment.

18 This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us, for this is our lot.19 Likewise, all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.

We see the Teacher, who we believe to be King Soloman, talk about the corruption within the world.  Those who have much chase after much, those who have riches and wealth chase after riches and wealth, and what does that give them?  Nothing. 

Once again the Teacher looks at everything that this world promises you, everything that you think will give you meaning and worth, everything that will give you value, and points out, nah, it won’t do it.  

Today, what are you looking for to give you value and worth?  What are you looking to give your life meaning?  What do you have to have to make sure your life is a “success?”  

Is it money? 

Fame? 

Success?  

A big house?  A great job?  All the power in the world? 

What are we looking for today?  In the end, none of that will matter. Even if we gain it all, have it all, possess it all, it won’t give us the worth that we are seeking. We can’t find our statue and our success there. It truly won’t give us life. 

Today, don’t find your worth in your job, your car, any earthly thing. Look to Jesus.  Look to the life-giver. That is where meaning can be found. 

Today, where are you looking? 

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