MONDAY: PROFITABLE RELATIONSHIPS

Oct 10, 2022
2 min read

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things,

Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after.

King Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived (besides Jesus). The word he used for vanity means vapor or breath. Everything we know and see passes away from this earth. Solomon looked for profit from his toil and labor which seemingly passed away meaninglessly.

Solomon searched through previous generations and found they too passed away to make room for the next. He observed the sun and noticed it moves in circles. He discovered the wind also moves in a circuit. Where the rivers flowed, they returned again. He concluded that all things were full of endless labor, which was wearisome. Even I cannot find satisfaction in my labor; I am always left wanting more.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

Since everything flows in a continual, circular motion, ending up where it started, then there is nothing new under the sun. In order to eat I must work, and the work I am called to do makes me want something more. In seeking something more, I turn to money and possessions, but I find these are not satisfying either. However, Solomon hinted I should be satisfied with seeing and hearing, in other words, understanding. Then I understand that which is not circular, relationships.

When I seek to understand for the sake of gaining relationship, and not profit, then I learn that God is changing my heart. Anything I attempt to create will pass away, but what God creates in my heart—my relationships—will never pass away. The relationships I build and nurture with Him and others are eternal.

Lord, thank You for the gift of relationships and for allowing me to see that all tangible things from which I profit will pass away. Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman