What do you gain?

Study Text

Ecclesiastes 1:3 “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?”

The “labor” that he “labors.”

One of the biggest problems that Ecclesiastes is trying to face is the wisdom that successful people often lack.

“They’re successful.” How are they lacking in wisdom? They’re too busy to see what is happening to their soul. They’re often too busy to see what is happening to others around them especially their families. They’re pursuing more at blinding speed thinking they will get what they are after, but Solomon writes to warn us that it is impossible to reach the top. When your life is all about being satisfied in one way or another, there is no end.

You will busy yourself or amuse yourself to death.

There’s a command in the Ten Commandments that I think we misunderstand.

Exodus 20:8 ““Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

We think this is what we do on Sunday by going to church. And that can be a part of that. How many of you actually set this day apart beyond going to church?

What really is the goal of the Sabbath?

It’s a rhythm setup by God for us to take one out of seven days and stop (cease) our usual labors and enjoy Him and the blessings that He has given us.

Think about the feasts and festivals that God commanded Israel to celebrate. They were resting to remember what God had done.

Most of us use Sunday as our catchup day. And I’m not saying that Sunday has to be your full Sabbath rest.

Why do we need Sabbath?

First of all scientifically, we stop bring productive after 50-60 hours of work in a week. We begin to burnout.

Think about all the times that Jesus pulled away from the busyness of ministry for prayer and to rest.

Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

Jesus calls us to rest because left to our own devices, we will not rest.

We work anxiously trying to get more and more. We work trying to be noticed. We work trying to do something that matters. We work trying to feel like we have enough. We work trying to feel good about ourselves. We work trying to make sure we’ve done enough to be saved.

These verses first and foremost are the rest that we have from condemnation. But beyond that it is the rest we are meant to have in this life. We’re called to pull away and rest in Christ. We’re called to rest so that we have the strength to continue on.

What can we do on the Sabbath?

Remember sabbath was made for us, so this is not requirements, but ideas on how we can set aside time in our week to remember the Lord.

Eat a meal at the table.

Give thanks for some of the ways that God has blessed you the past week.

Sing.

Worship with your church.

Go for a walk, hike, fish, or some other outdoor activity that leads you to glorify God in His creation.

Read, especially Scripture.

Spend time alone with God.

Spend time with family and friends.

Bless your children.

Take a nap.

Spend time alone with the great Physician.

Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Much of our busyness is us hiding from what’s going on inside of us. When we stop and sit with the Lord. We will begin to see the things in our life that aren’t what they should be.

When you spend time alone with God, take that time to read and let God speak to you through His Word. Listen to the Holy Spirit as He brings to mind the things in your life that you might not want to think about.