I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 11:1-10 W ISDOM R ELATED IN B USINESS —R EJOICE IN Y OUR Y OUTH

I NTRODUCTION W ISDOM now looks at the economic realm Life is full of uncertainties Should a man make no investment of himself—for fear of loss?

E CCLESIASTES 11:1,2 “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth. "

E CCLESIASTES 11:3 “If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree falls to the south or the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. "

E CCLESIASTES 11:4,5 “ He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. "

E CCLESIASTES 11:6 “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good. "

F EAR OF L OSS Could be referring to faith Investment can bring back a return Despite uncertainty must be bold and take risks Worthwhile to share—do not hoard Dividing it with others brings back great worth –Luke 6:38 –2 Corinthians 9:8 –Galatians 6:9,10 –Hebrews 6:10

F EAR OF L OSS Some actions have permanent consequences No one can control where the rain will fall One tries to anticipate everything—will do nothing—future cannot be calculated Careful not to procrastinate Waiting for “ ideal conditions ” can delay action Circumstances can change - cut off opportunity Do the work and trust God

W ORKS OF G OD Certain parts of God’s work defy explanation One cannot understand all that God does –Isaiah 55:8-11 Just because we don’t know how the bones form—we can trust they will –Psalm 139:13-16 God’s providence in the world is difficult to understand Need to do good, have faith—despite outward circumstances

U NCERTAINTY C AN P ARALYZE Since one does not know the course of the future—what should we do? Give it our all and best effort Don’t wait for tomorrow - do what we can today Be diligent to do our part A guarantee of success is not required to begin working “If the Lord will…” –James 4:13-15

E CCLESIASTES 11:7,8 “ Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. "

E CCLESIASTES 11:9 “ Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. "

E CCLESIASTES 11:10 “ Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity. "

R EJOICE IN Y OUR Y OUTH Many of the simple pleasures of life are great blessings from God “Behold the sun”—great to be alive Seeing light gives optimism God gave us life to enjoy Life cannot be lived in retrospect— makes one miserable Everyone will have adversity “darkness” in their lives –1 Peter 4:12,13

R EJOICE IN Y OUR Y OUTH God wants us to enjoy our lives when we are young—greater abilities Just always remember if one chooses evil—there are consequences ! Joy and pleasure should be controlled in light of God’s judgment! Joys should be enjoyed—within the boundaries set by God! Never choose activities that are a stumbling block for obedience

R EJOICE IN Y OUR Y OUTH Some things can destroy our happiness and life Sadness, trouble, worry Put away pain—if possible Childhood and youth are vanity—if one allows evil to control their lives –2 Corinthians 7:1 –2 Timothy 2:22

C ONCLUSION Need to keep things in proper perspective Life is to be enjoyed but in the right way We need to trust God, do our part, and things will take care of themselves Subject of youth will continue in chapter 12…