The Better Life According to Solomon

Where is the “better” life? Many seek the “better” life in the wrong place (“better” job, education, home, body, etc.) The Israelites looked for the “better” life in the wrong place (Ex. 14:12; Num. 14:3) Where is the “better” life?

The Better Life Less is better than more The world says “keep up with the Jones,” but… “Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind” (Eccl. 4:6)

The Better Life A few things with satisfaction and happiness, is better than many things with work and worries (Prov. 15:16-17; 16:8; 17:1) Competition and clamorous grasping do not bring rest A simple, but adequate existence is better than elusive prosperity (1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19)

The Better Life Companionship is better than solidarity The world says “do your own thing,” but… “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor” (Eccl. 4:9) Companionship and cooperation are better than isolation, division, and discord because they bring success, help in time, comfort, and protection

The Better Life Interdependence is better than independence – Proverbs 18:1 (“A man without a companion is like a right hand without the left” or “Two heads are better than one”) The “good reward” (“good return,” NASV) is better in life (Eccl. 4:9-12), marriage (Gen. 2:18), in mission (Lk. 10:1) and in the church (1 Tim. 3:15)

The Better Life Wisdom is better than folly The world says to act anyway you want, but… “Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more” (Eccl. 4:13)

The Better Life The wise youth is better because he still receives admonition, and is not stubborn or set in his ways (Psa. 119:100; Prov. 8:11) Neither age, nor might, insures wisdom and success

The Better Life Listening is better than speaking The world says speak up and be heard, but… “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil …

The Better Life Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Eccl. 5:1,5) Listening in reverence is better because it keeps one from getting into trouble (Lk. 8:18; 1 Pet. 3:10) Swift to hear, slow to speak (Jas. 1:19; 3:1ff)

The Better Life Contentment is better than craving The world says “the grass is greener on the other side,” but… “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccl. 6:9)

The Better Life Contentment and satisfaction as a righteous person are better than a insatiable desire for more (Psa. 37:16) Be happy with what you have rather than crave for what you do not have (“a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”) – Heb. 13:5

The Better Life The “better” life comes from God’s word, not from man’s word The “better” life will “better” the soul (spiritual), not the body (physical) The “better” life is a choice that must be made today

The Better Life According to Solomon

The Better Life Less is better than more (Eccl. 4:6) Companionship is better than solidarity (Eccl. 4:9) Wisdom is better than folly (Eccl. 4:13) Listening is better than speaking (Eccl. 5:1-5) Contentment is better than craving (Eccl. 6:9)

The Better Life Reputation is better than riches The world says build up your profits and assets, but… “A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth” (Eccl. 7:1) A good “name” = a good reputation (Neh. 9:10)

The Better Life It is better to have a good reputation which flows from character, than to have riches (Prov. 22:1; 28:6; Psa. 119:72) It is better to leave behind a good reputation, than riches or debt (Prov. 22:7) An inward character is better than an outward fragrance or appearance

The Better Life Reflection is better than laughter The world says you have all the time in the life to have fun so “live it up,” but… “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter...

The Better Life … for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Eccl. 7:2-4) Sober reflection on death is better than merry-making because one contemplates the end of life (Psa. 90:12; Jas. 4:14)

The Better Life Advice is better than flattery The world wants to be entertained and condoned, not lectured, but… “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools” (Eccl. 7:5)

The Better Life Rebuke (advice) that leads to right living (2 Sam. 12:1ff), is better than flattery or compliments that condone sinfulness (Isa. 30:10; Amos 6:3-6) Speaking to exhort and rebuke is better (Prov. 27:5; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 2:15)

The Better Life The end is better than the beginning The world says act now and think later, or get it and get it quick, but… “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Eccl. 7:8) The “end of a thing” = the outcome (Prov. 14:12)

The Better Life The end of a matter is better because at that point, one has learned wisdom and has gained experience (“hind sight is better than foresight”) – Jas. 1:2-3,12 The end demonstrates loyalty, commitment, maturity The end is what counts (1 K. 20:11; Lk. 14:29-30; 2 Tim. 4:6-8)

The Better Life Life is better than death The world says life is about “second chances” and “do-overs”, but… “For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion” (Eccl. 9:4) The living can enjoy life and work hard (Eccl. 9:7-10)

The Better Life Life is better because the living know that they will die and may reckon with the reality of death For the dead, their time for good has passed (Lk. 16:19-31) You have one life to live; live it to its fullest (Eccl. 9:10; Jn. 9:4; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9-10; Heb. 9:27)

The Better Life Wisdom is better than strength The world says “survival of the fittest” and “might makes right”, but… “Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him…

The Better Life …that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good” (9:16-18) Wisdom (from God) will provide security better than strength and power (Esther 1:19; 4:13-16; Isa. 53:2-3; Mt. 12:18-21; Mk. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:4)

The Better Life The “better” life comes from God’s word, not from man’s word The “better” life will “better” the soul (spiritual), not the body (physical) The “better” life is a choice that must be made today