Sermon Tone Analysis
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Ecclesiastes can be a discouraging book.
If not read in light of the life we have with Christ above the sun life under the sun can be depressing.
Solomon has been clear about what can happen on this earth.
You work hard only to give it all to someone who throws it away.
The wicked sometimes live long and the righteous sometimes die young.
Wisdom is often overlooked, and foolishness is rewarded.
The qualified are passed over for the unqualified.
There doesn’t seem to be any certainty in this world.
Even in our text this morning notice how many times the phrase “you do not know” is used:
Verse 2- you know not what disaster may happen on earth
Verse 5- You do not know the way of the spirit
Verse 5- you do not know the work of God.
Verse 6- you do not know what will prosper
The point is no matter how you live your life there will always be risk.
Even many of the Proverbs we read in the Bible speak only of general truths.
Granted there are promises in Proverbs that are absolutely true, but there are some proverbs that only speak of general truth, and they deal with life on this earth.
For instance:
Proverbs 12:11 says if you work hard you’ll have plenty to eat.
That’s a general truth.
But we live in a sinful world so you can work hard and someone can take it from you.
Proverbs 22:6 says train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
That’s a general truth.
But You can be a godly person who has a child that forsakes the Lord.
Proverbs 15:1 says a soft answer turns away wrath.
That’s generally true.
But you can respond the right way and someone else can decide to treat you like dirt.
How then should we respond?
Will we say, “If I can’t guarantee smooth sailing for myself, I won’t even try?”
No.
Our response should be like Job “Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15
In our text Solomon shows us man’s responsibility in God’s world.
1. Diversify your life (1-2).
A. Your finances should be diversified.
Solomon became a very rich man by casting his bread upon the waters.
He engaged in overseas trade (1 King 9:26-28).
He built a fleet of ships that would be gone for three years at a time trading across the ocean.
When the ships returned they brought gold, silver, and he even imported animals like apes and peacocks.
He was the richest man on earth and he attained some of that wealth by trading overseas.
God will take care of you, but He has given you His Word to do that.
We have to be willing to use the principles we see in His word.
Look at verse 2. “Give a portion to seven or eight”.
That’s called diversifying.
Why should we do this?
Look at the end of verse 2. Something awful may happen.
You may lose your job.
You may lose your home.
You may get to a place where you can’t work any longer.
What’s your plan?
If your goal is to live off Social Security alone you may be in for a surprise!
Young people listen to me.
As soon as you graduate you should begin preparing for retirement.
Every time you get a check:
Spend some money- Pay your bills
Save some money- Prepare for trouble
Give some money- Tithe!
Invest some money- secure your future
Here’s the part we don’t like “after many days” (1).
But listen “many days” don’t take long.
You say:
I have a job!
Not enough!
I have Social Security!
- Not enough!
You know whats worse than being old?
Being old and broke.
Depending on the government
Depending on people
No one wants to do that!
B. Your personal life should be diversified.
Is there balance in your life?
You have many needs to tend to:
Spiritual
Educational needs
Health needs
Economical needs
How are you investing in yourself?
Is it one sided?
Some of us put all our eggs in one basket when it comes to our personal life.
I’ve known very spiritual people who neglected their health.
Illustration diabetic pastor
I’ve known very healthy people who neglected their spiritual life.
I’ve known pastors who neglected their finances and found when they were older they had nowhere to live.
There are health disasters
There are financial disasters
There are spiritual disasters
There are all types of disaster we need to be prepared for in this world.
It’s foolish to say, “I’m healthy so I don’t need to concern myself with anything else.”
“I’m spiritual….”
“I’m smart….”
“I’m wealthy…”
What good is money if you don’t have your health?
What good is education if you have no income?
What good is any of it if you don’t have Christ?
C. We will reap what we have sown.
If you have dealt wisely with your finances
If you have been generous in your giving
If you have been a servant to others
It is likely you will reap a reward for this not only in heaven but to some degree on earth as well.
You say, “I don’t have much!”
Look what was thrown on the water.
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