Are some things that we think are important in life actually meaningless? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 6.
Do we enjoy our wealth that we have accumulated forever, or do strangers enjoy it by foreign invasion, taxation, theft or death?
I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. (Ecc 6:1-2 NIV)
Does living a thousand years guarantee happiness, or does life come in vanity and depart in darkness?
If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place? (Ecc 6:3-6 NKJV)
Is covetousness chasing wind, whether we are rich or poor?
All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough. So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. (Ecc 6:7-9 NLT)
Are there many words that people use to puff themselves up? Does it really profit anyone? Does it change what happens after we die?
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he. For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? (Ecc 6:10-12 WEB)
What would Jesus say about those who puff themselves up or think that worldly status is important?
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. (John 8:54 CEB)
Are some things that we think are important in life actually meaningless? You decide!
