The backdrop for this sermon is Deut. 4:5-8. We are to live as God intended so the nations will notice and turn to God. Ecclesiastes calls out many of the things people live for: money, pleasure/comfort, success/achievement, etc. The Teacher's wisdom reveals we have far less control over these things than we care to admit (in fact, he'd say we don't have any control over them!) and therefore it is foolish to base your life on them. After all, hevel happens.

While Proverbs may chart the ideal course for our lives, the Teacher reminds us that the desired input/output is not guaranteed. That is the hard and beautiful truth about Ecclesiastes.

What does this leave us to live for? If we live with a fear of God we can then live with joy, trusting God will control what we can't. This allows us to enjoy the gifts God has given.