WHICH IS BETTER? ECCLESIASTES 7:1-8

WHICH IS BETTER? 1 A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; 2 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 take it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

WHICH IS BETTER? 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

WHICH IS BETTER? A good name is better than precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7:1a

WHICH IS BETTER? Good Name Reputation is earned “Quality goes in – before the name goes on” – Zenith TV We must build a reputation, character, and name that is honored Good Perfume You don't choose a restaurant by the smell A perfumed pig is still a pig.

WHICH IS BETTER? A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; Ecclesiastes 7:1

WHICH IS BETTER? Day of Death Death is when we get to be with Jesus Death is far better Day of Birth When you are born, you are naked, hungry and in debt Few days and full of trouble - Job

WHICH IS BETTER? 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1:21-23

WHICH IS BETTER? 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:4-6

WHICH IS BETTER? 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 take it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2

WHICH IS BETTER? Funeral Home Funeral homes are not “fun” places to be Death makes us stop and think - – Soberly – See reality – About death – About eternity Thanksgiving Dinner Stuffed, moan and groan Watch football game and sleep What did you gain – besides a few pounds?

WHICH IS BETTER? 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

WHICH IS BETTER? Sorrow Sorrow teaches us many important lessons Real joy is not jokes, sit coms, movies Sorrow teaches us to enjoy what we have Laughter Laughter – pretends the problems don't exist When the laughter stops – the problems remain

WHICH IS BETTER? 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 7:5-6

WHICH IS BETTER? Rebuke of wise Wise men will rebuke because of their concern and love Honest rebuke will make us better, stronger, more like what God wants us to be Song of fools Song (praise) of fools only makes us think we are OK – as is When everyone praises you – watch out!

WHICH IS BETTER? 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8

WHICH IS BETTER? End We can have the pride of finishing We learned a lot along the way Do you want to go back and – live your life over again? Been there, done that Beginning High hopes, dreams, ideals, goals Over time – they dwindle Think – New Year's Resolutions

WHICH IS BETTER? 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8

WHICH IS BETTER? Patient Patience is a virtue “Tribulation produces perseverance” Romans 5:3 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles Isaiah 40:31a Proud Pride just puffs us up For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

WHICH IS BETTER? FINAL QUESTION: Are you better? – Is your faith stronger? – Is your attitude improved? – Is your commitment greater? – Is your hope more sure?