Know Your Bible

VOL. 5                           January 7, 2007                           NO. 51

Solomon Had It All But He Did Not Want It

    It would seem to most people that a wealthy man would find all the happiness in the world. If he possessed great amounts of wealth, there would be nothing that a person could not do to find happiness. Each day could be spent in the pursuit of pleasure and fun. There would be little if anything that would not be possible for a man of great wealth. He could travel the world on a whim, buy what he wanted, go where he desired, enjoy whatever his heart sought after and be filled with satisfaction as a cup flowing over. So why was Solomon not happy?

    Of all the people in the world who had everything man could enjoy, Solomon possessed more. The Queen of Sheba came and declared, "Indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard." (1 Kings 10:7) The irony of his plight was that he wrote about how unhappy all those things were to him. "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'"(Eccl. 1:1,2) The book of Ecclesiastes is an examination of what life is made of and what life is not made of. Solomon tried pleasure and found it wanting. He sought after wisdom and found it full of grief. All the riches imagined by man were gained by the King and yet it came to nothing. Fame was fleeting for who would remember from generation to generation?

    Throughout the book he investigates the many sides of life and finds them all to be lacking. There is injustice in the world along with tragedy. Life is filled with labor and toil and seeking after the days bread. Death comes as quickly as birth. Men fight with men and laughter is useless. He does find value in wisdom that is used in a practical manner. There are lessons to be learned in death and death will come to all. The conclusion drawn by Solomon is the heart of the book. The reader would think that Solomon had found some great secret to life that would make the riches worth their gold. Could there be a full measure of pleasure that would satisfy all men? Could fame be made to last? What is the conclusion, Solomon?

"And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright -- words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret things, whether it is good or whether it is evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14)

    Simple. Direct. Clear. Easy to understand. Life is not about the accumulation of stuff nor the pursuit of pleasure but living in such a way that death is a blessing of removing a body of flesh for the eternal body of glory. Life is about God! Life is about the will of God! Life is about good and evil! Life is about choices we make that have everlasting consequences. Life here is about life there. Solomon learned that in the midst of having it all.

    We work so hard in our lives for the gain of this world. Our labors are tireless and our toil is unending. Plans are made for more stuff and our desires are filled with our wants. And then we die. What good will our fame, fortune, pleasure and wisdom do for us then? "And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) Listen to someone who had it all and said that life is more than raiment. The wise man says: "Fear God."

---Kent Heaton

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The Cardinal's Advice

    Here is an excerpt from an address by the cardinals in the Roman Church to Pope Pius III, which is preserved in the National Library of Paris, folio No. 1068, Vol. 2, PP. 650 and 651:

"Of all the advice that we can offer your holiness we must open your eyes well and use all possible force in the matter, namely, to permit the reading of the gospel as little as possible in all countries under your jurisdiction. Let the very little part of the gospel suffice which is usually read in mass, and let no one be permitted to read more. So long as people will be content with the small amount, your interests will prosper; but as soon as the people want to read more, your interest will fail. The Bible is the book, which more than any other, has raised against us the tumults and tempests by which we have almost perished. In fact, if one compares the teaching of the Bible with what takes place in our churches, he will soon find discord, and will realize that our teachings are often different from the Bible, and oftener still, contrary to it."

—Selected

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What Can I Do This Year?

    Many times Christians feel as though there is nothing they can do to positively assist in the work of the church. This, of course, is a huge mistake. There is something for everyone to do. Let us suggest these things that EVERY member of the local congregation can do that will help our collective service for the Lord:

1. Your can read your Bible every day. There are few things that can compare to regular Bible reading when it comes to strengthening the soul and maintaining focus on spiritual priorities. What are you waiting for? Make the commitment right NOW to read your Bible this year.

2. You can attend the services faithfully. We all push ourselves to do certain things. We'll go to real extremes to attend family gatherings, keep a doctor's appointment, go to a ballgame, have a regular time at the beauty shop, etc. Unfortunately, some are not nearly so determined to attend worship services and Bible studies. If you can get out for other things, why can't you get out for services? Think! You can really help by simply being present.

3. You can pray fervently. Do you consistently spend time in prayer every day? Pray for the church, for the elders, for those who are weak, for our work in reaching the lost, etc. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).

4. You can invite a neighbor, co-worker, or family member to attend the services with you. You might be surprised how many would be willing to come with you if you simply invited them.

5. You can set a good example. Don't forget that others are watching everything you do, everything you say, everywhere you go. If you let down, even once, they will notice it, and your influence will be damaged. Be conscious of your impact by way of your example.

6. You can be positive and enthusiastic. Too many are "doom and gloom" Christians, always looking for negative things to complain about. Look up! Be thankful for what you have and excited about what you can do for God's glory.

---Greg Gwin

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"Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.

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