What's the Point? (A Study in Ecclesiastes: Part 1)Sample

UNDER THE SUN

What does a man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:3 ESV) is the question that frames the rest of the book. The Preacher wants to know, “what am I worth?” and what follows isn’t very encouraging. He basically says that the world keeps turning: the sun rises and sets, the water flows through the earth, and people come and go. Yet this question is what we are all asking. We work and generate wealth/status/beauty/fame, all in the quest to figure out what we are worth. There are calculators online that can tell you your net worth based on the things you own and your education. Ultimately, these things let us down because they are only temporary. At some point, we all die, and all of it goes away. That’s not a cheerful thought!

The only one who can give us lasting worth is God Himself. But, for now, this is outside of Q’s consideration because he is only looking at life “under the sun.” This repeated phrase will come up again and again. Remember, as you read Q’s limited perspective of this temporal world.

Ask Yourself: Where am I looking to find my worth? What would happen if those things were gone from my life?

Pause to Pray: Ask God to reveal the things you depend on to give your life value.

Take the Next Step: Make two lists- “I am...” and “I have….” When you think you’re done, go back and circle or highlight the most important things on the lists.