1. LIFE IS STILL DIFFICULT!
ECCLESIASTES

2. Life Is Difficult Life under the sun is pointless! 1:2
Without a valid purpose, life is vexing
No profit 1:3
Full of labor 1:8
Effort is not appreciated 1:11

3. Life Is Difficult Solomon studied life 1:12-14; 1 Kings 4:33
Knew more than anybody else 1:15-17
Grief and emptiness 1:18
Pleasure and entertainment 2:1-3
Waste of time 2:2
Accomplished great works 2:4-10
Acquired great riches 2:7-10
I hated life…I hated all my labor 2:17-23

4. What We Should Do – Balance
Enjoy blessings from God 2:17-23; 3:12-13
One day at a time Matt. 6:34
Trust in the Lord and do good Ps. 37:3
God will give wisdom Eccl. 2:26
Respect God’s wisdom and power 3:14
Fear God, do what He says 12:13
We will give account for what we have done 12:14; 3:14
Live with balance 3:1-15

5. Life Is Unfair! Wickedness in government 3:16
Be patient; God will fix it 3:17
We die 3:18-22
Power oppresses powerless 4:1-3
No comfort for suffering
Loneliness 4:4-8; Gen. 2:18
Friendship 4:9-12; Prov. 18:24
Fellowship Acts 2:36-47; 1 Cor. 12:12-26

6. Life Is Unfair! Wickedness in government 3:16
Foolishness in government 4:13-16; Genesis 41, Exodus 1
Dishonesty in government 5:8-9; Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, and for lack of justice there is waste.
Mismanagement  Waste
All win or all suffer

7. Poverty of the Well-To-Do
Greed (increased demand) 5:10
Others’ greed 5:11
Worry 5:12
Loss by misfortune 5:13-15
Waste of time 5:16-17
Balance! 5:18-20
Theft by others 6:1-2
Doesn’t see goodness 6:3-12
Fear God

8. Poverty of the Well-To-Do
Greed (increased demand) 5:10
Others’ greed 5:11
Worry 5:12
Loss by misfortune 5:13-15
Waste of time 5:16-17
Balance! 5:18-20
Theft by others 6:1-2
Doesn’t see goodness 6:3-12 spiritual blindness
Fear God

9. Poverty of the Well-To-Do
Greed (increased demand) 5:10
Others’ greed 5:11
Worry 5:12
Loss by misfortune 5:13-15
Waste of time 5:16-17
Balance! 5:18-20
Theft by others 6:1-2
Doesn’t see goodness 6:3-12 spiritual blindness 5:1-7
Fear God

10. Poverty of the Well-To-Do
Greed (increased demand) 5:10
Others’ greed 5:11
Worry 5:12
Loss by misfortune 5:13-15
Waste of time 5:16-17
Balance! 5:18-20
Theft by others 6:1-2
Doesn’t see goodness 6:3-12 spiritual blindness 5:1-7 fear God
Fear God