Ecclesiastes 6 - 1.20.2023
Scripture - What stood out?
Ecclesiastes 6:2
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.
Observation - What does it say?
King Solomon continues to put it all into perspective for us. In this chapter he writes about people who have wealth, honor, and resources yet God has not given them the capability to enjoy all those things. The entire chapter appears to be more set up for a big truth yet to come.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Ouch. The first thing I thought of Lord was all the “successful” celebrities we lost in 2022. People who had wealth, possessions and honor. Yet they took their own lives. I presume to understand nothing, Lord. It is hard to believe that they were able to feel true joy and peace and comfort as they marched towards those decisions.. While I don’t presume to understand the spirit and mind of any individual, I do believe that King Solomon a man blessed with Your great wisdom and somebody who lived a life of opulence could likely have simulated a joyless life - one filled to the brim with things, yet devoid of the one thing that brings lasting happiness - You.
And so we have been warned.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Lord, as I journey through life here on earth I pray that you would fill me with Your Joy. May I stop pursuing things that give me joy and instead may I pursue the Joy-Giver. Please, Lord, send some rich people my way today. Grant me boldness to proclaim that: happiness is not the product of resources but of the Resource-er. I pray for those who single mindedly chase wealth - Lord open our hearts. Open our eyes. May we see the error of our ways. Help us to repent. Help us to seek true joy. Life in you. Life with you. Life for you. I love you, Lord Jesus. In your name, Jesus ,do I pray. Amen.
-kenneth lee
Proverbs 11 - 1.19.23
Scripture
Proverbs 11:24-25
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Observation - What does it say?
Solomon observes in his God-given wisdom that it’s the generous who prosper, not the stingy. And those who withhold selfishly are the ones who end up broke.
Understanding - What does it mean?
The kingdom seems upside down at times; it seems to go against common sense. The way to see your bank account grow couldn’t possibly be to make regular withdrawals and give that money away. But we see this kind of upside down principal throughout scripture. To truly live, Jesus tells us to die. To become the highest, he tells us to make ourselves the lowest. To become the greatest, Jesus commands us to be the servant of all. The only way God will entrust us with more is if we are faithful with what he has already given us – whether money, talent, gifts, relationships, etc. And the way to be faithful with what God has given us, is to give it freely. As we are faithful, he will entrust us with more. The way to gain is to give; the way to be refreshed is to refresh others.
Life Application
Don’t wait until I’m rich to give freely. The question isn’t, “How much do you have?” But rather, “What are you doing with what you do have?”
God, may we be a faithful people and a generous people! Forgive us for the times we’ve clung to the money and resources you’ve given us in fear that we won’t someday have enough. We trust you to provide for us and we want to be a means of blessing for others. Show us who you’re asking us to give to and how much, and may we be obedient when you speak… even when it doesn’t make sense. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Ecclesiastes 4 - 1.18.23
Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Observation-What does it say?
“Without a friend, accomplishments are vain.” (enduringword.com-David Guzik)
There are advantages to mutual assistance. (Christianity.com -Matthew Henry commentary)
Understanding-What does it mean?
We were not meant to live this life alone.
King Solomon continues to talk about how meaningless and vain laboring for accomplishments are apart from the Lord AND other people.
What’s the point of being the richest man on earth if you couldn’t be generous with that money? What’s the point of working so hard for accomplishments and success if you had no friends to share those joys with? What’s the point of having so many gifts, talents and wisdom if you didn’t have a church body to share them with or a greater purpose to use them for?
Life Application:
Don’t do life alone. Share your life with others.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Do you have a 1 on 1 discipleship/accountability partner through this 28 days of prayer and fasting?
I have been meeting with someone since the beginning of this month. Our times together have been a huge blessing in terms of discovering a NEW deepened friendship relationship, praying for each other, keeping each other accountable to our goals, carrying each other’s burdens AND celebrating our accomplishments!
Our journey in the Lord is definitely meant to be shared with someone. God never intended us to live the Christian faith as a lone wolf.
I want to challenge you that if you haven’t been meeting with your 1 on 1 or have not reached out to someone yet, there’s still time! It’s truly more fun and less lonely partnering with someone on this journey. I look forward to hearing all the testimonies that come about through it!
-Michelle Gaddi