“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by Pastor Rob Barkman for “Settled In Heaven Ministries” @ http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/
View original post @ https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/ecclesiastes-chapter-10-verses-18/
Ecclesiastes: Chapter 10 Verses 18
What Is Your Life If Not Lived For The Lord? (Part 32)
INTRODUCTION:
Solomon addresses himself as “the Preacher”. He is the one that will proclaim the spritiual truths of God to those in his nation and to Christians throughout time.
Keep in mind, Solomon learned these truths by trying to find the meaning to life through experiencing all this world has to offer. Solomon was uniquely suited to learn these lessons and share these truths with the people of God…
First of all, very few men possess sufficient wealth and power to be able to sample all this world has to offer (1 Kings 10:23).
Secondly, only Solomon and a few others throughout time, have been universally respected causing his teachings to be taken very seriously and thoughtfully by all (1 Kings 4:30-34). (Keep in mind, even Christ Himself and His teachings were rejected by many of those around Him.)
Solomon was God’s man, in God’s place, at God’s time, by God’s grace, to learn this most important truth and proclaim it with authority to those he loved. May we all listen carefully as Solomon reveals to us the true meaning to life and answer the question… “What Is Our Life If Not Lived for The Lord ?”.
TODAY’S TEXT:
Eccl 10:18
(18) By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Solomon warns that those who are “slothful”, in other words those who are not watchful but lax in their duties, will allow things to fall apart all around them. They will see the needs and, yet, not attempt to meet them.
The end result of this lazy attitude is that, due to his resting hands, the entire house will come apart and fall to the ground.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Folks, Solomon’s wisdom showed to him the need to “keep up with” his responsibilities. In this case, he uses the idea of ignoring home repairs to illustrate the need for diligence in our duties. Just like a man who ignores the work that must be done in his home, eventually losing the house as it gradually falls apart; he sees the life of a lazy person (one who fails to faithfully fulfill the responsibilities given to him) falling into utter ruin.
May we all see our need to live wise lives being faithful in our duties and aware of the needs around us.
Solomon’s pursuit of the meaning of life included:
1. |
2:1-3 |
The pursuit of carnal desires (the base pleasures found in a fallen world) |
2. |
2:4-11 |
The pursuit of material possessions through human labors |
3. |
2:12-17 |
The pursuit of worldly wisdom, madness and folly |
4. |
2:18-23 |
The pursuit of responsible (frugal & wise) living to retain worldly goods Prt #1 |
5. |
2:24-26 |
The pursuit of responsible (frugal & wise) living to retain worldly goods Prt #2 |
6. |
3:1-8 |
A recognition of the Lord’s sovereign control over all life events Prt #1 |
7. |
3:9-15 |
A recognition of the Lord’s sovereign control over all life events Prt #2 |
8. |
3:16-22 |
A recognition of our need of Christ to see the nature and purpose of our life. |
9. |
4:1-3 |
A recognition that never being born is better than the sufferings of this life. |
10. |
4:4-16 |
The pursuit of earthly wisdom, diligence and living responsibly |
11. |
5:1-7 |
The pursuit of worldly vows, contracts, and promises |
12. |
5:8-17 |
The pursuit of worldly riches |
13. |
5:18-20 |
A recognition that enjoyment of this earthly life is God’s gracious gift to man |
14. |
6:1-2 |
A recognition of man’s inability to enjoy that which God has given to him. |
15. |
6:3-10 |
A recognition of man’s sinfulness, mortality and need of humility before God |
16. |
6:11-12 |
A recognition of the vanity of all that lies under the sun. |
17. |
7:1-10 |
The pursuit of prideful living |
18. |
7:11-23 |
A recognition of the value of Godly wisdom |
19. |
7:24-29 |
The pursuit of Godly enabling |
20. |
8:1-5 |
The pursuit of proper submission to authority based upon Godly wisdom |
21. |
8:6-15 |
A recognition man needs Godly wisdom because he cannot control his own life nor see the eternal benefits of service to the Lord. |
22. |
8:16-17 |
A recognition that men cannot fully understand the work of God on earth |
23. |
9:1-3 |
A recognition that righteous and wicked share common life events |
24. |
9:4-12 |
A recognition that life is better then death |
25. |
9:13-18 |
A recognition of the excellence and rejection of Godly wisdom |
26. |
10:1-15 |
A recognition of the dangers of foolishness |
27. |
10:16-17 |
A recognition of principles for good rulership |
28. |
10:18 |
A recognition of the dangers of slothfulness |
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Email… settledinheaven@gmail.com
**********************************************
God's group 