CrossLife Church

What is the Bible about, and what does it contain? Some would say the Bible is a book of stories about God and His people. I think the honest assumption of most people is that the Bible is full of many warnings and prohibitions. The Bible contains a bunch of outdated rules and regulations. The perception is that reading and following the Bible will lead to a miserable and unhappy life.  

7Go, eat your bread with joy,

and drink your wine with a merry heart,

for God has already approved what you do. 

 8Let your garments be always white.

Let not oil be lacking on your head.

9Enjoy life with the wife whom you love,

all the days of your vain life

that he has given you under the sun, 

because that is your portion in life

and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.

-Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 

The Bible certainly has warnings and prohibitions, but it also has positive exhortations and encouragement to enjoy the blessings and gifts of God, to the glory of God. The Bible prescribes the good life, secured and maximized by Godly wisdom. This Sunday, we will

Part 1: The Vertigo of Life - Introduction to the concept of disorientation in life using the analogy of vertigo.

Part 2: Desiring Discernment in Uncertain Times- The importance of seeking wisdom and discernment in handling life's challenges.

Part 3: Respecting Authority and Walking in Wisdom- Balancing respect for authority with godly wisdom in challenging situations.

Part 4: Finding Joy and Stability in God's Sovereignty- Embracing joy and trusting God's sovereignty in the midst of life's unpredictability.

Is there ever a time when you are satisfied? You are content with your food, family, and fame. It is not uncommon for people to accomplish or acquire things they have long desired, only to be disappointed and dissatisfied. In Ecclesiastes 6, we hear of a man who gains great riches but is unable to enjoy them. 

The hymn writer, William Cowper ("There is a Fountain") wrote a poem called The Task, in which he described the futility of life as, "The toil of dropping buckets into empty wells, and growing old in drawing nothing up." 

What well have you been dropping your bucket in? Ecclesiastes 6 gives us some helpful insights on picking our wells so our buckets don't come up empty. 

Can money buy happiness? According to a Princeton study and the Wharton School of Business, money can certainly enhance one's happiness. The amount necessary depends on the size of a family and the cost of living in their particular region or city. Below these studies is a deeper question of how people define happiness. It isn’t the money as much as the peace of mind that comes from adequate housing, essential needs being met, healthcare, safety, and a general sense of well-being that elevates happiness. 

There are other non-financial factors—strong relationships, health, purpose, and community—that often matter more for happiness once basic needs are met. Spending money on experiences (e.g., travel, social events) or others (e.g., charity, gifts) tends to generate more happiness than material purchases. Conversely, debt, social comparison, or chasing status can negate money’s benefits. In short, money buys happiness up to a point—covering essentials and some comforts—but beyond that, its power fades, and meaningful relationships and purpose take over.

In Ecclesiastes 5:8-20, Solomon explores the vanity of wealth.

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money,

nor he who loves wealth with his income;

this also is vanity.” -Eccl. 5:10

Solomon argues that the essential ingredient for a right view and enjoyment of wealth is not the amount of one’s money but wealth with wisdom. 

"Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few." --Ecclesiastes 5:2

Have you ever been told to "watch your mouth" or asked, "Who do you think you are?" It is easy to get a little mouthy or, as my mom would tell me, "you are a little big for your britches." I doubt there is a person who simply loves submitting to authority. We might respect some authorities, but most people have enough "rebel" in them to challenge authorities they do not like.

The biggest problem is when a person runs their mouth off against another person with authority over them, and they don't realize who they are talking to. That is what the teacher/preacher is warning of in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. Only a fool would talk and walk in the presence of God without carefully weighing their words and actions.

This is a warning to us all. Know that careless word or deed goes unobserved and unrecorded by God. Jesus says, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36). When is the last time you considered the weight of your words, commitments, promises, and actions?

 "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 

--Ecclesiastes 4:12

In his book Bowling Alone, Robert D. Putnam lays out the concerning data about how isolated and disconnected people are today. For example, league bowling was once very popular. However, participation in organized bowling leagues dropped by about 40% from the 1980s to the 1990s, with 80 million fewer bowling league participants in 1995 compared to 1980.

Team bowling isn’t the only group activity suffering; there is decreased participation in civic organizations, social networks, and community activities across the board. While people may have far more superficial connections on social media, there has been an erosion of community bonds, trust, and civic engagement, with potential negative impacts on democracy and individual well-being. 

Let's face it, you need me and I need you. As Solomon argues in Ecclesiastes 4, you can not overestimate the importance of your family and friends. 

There has been a lot of talk about justice, oppression, oppressors, and the oppressed. The writer of Ecclesiastes articulates the difficulty clearly and succinctly. In this fallen and broken world, people are suffering under the power, influence, and abuse of others who wield power over them. This is a fact of life and a well-established pattern that flows from the wickedness of human hearts.

The world has many ways of solving the age-old problem of oppression. They all end with a revolution and the oppressed overthrowing their oppressors. In the end, you simply end up with a new class of oppressed crying out for justice. 

Does the Bible have any answers concerning the problem of injustice and oppression? In Ecclesiastes 4, Solomon offers some valuable wisdom about justice, the danger of jealousy, the importance of family and community, and the necessity of teachability for those in power.