THE
BEST THING
It occurred to me that the writer of Ecclesiastes missed an entire area in
his quest for meaning, purpose, and significance in a fallen world. If the
author was Solomon, he certainly started well. “Solomon loved the Lord” (1 Ki.3:3). He asked God for an
“understanding mind” that he might properly govern the nation of
Though the writer of Ecclesiastes searched exhaustively in the area of self-aggrandizement,
it never occurred to him, it seems, to explore the area of altruism or brotherly
love. In other words, he failed to explore the whole realm of possibilities
this life affords in philanthropy or helping others to succeed.
This is the area of benevolence and beneficence that focuses upon
coming alongside others as a brother to heal their sorrows, dress their wounds,
to help them get back on their feet and achieve their dreams. It is the paradox
Jesus spoke of, that it is in considering the welfare of others above our own (Phil.2:4), in losing our life, that we
find it1. Jesus laid down His life for the sheep (Jn.10:15) and illustrated what it meant to love one's neighbor with
the story of the good Samaritan.
It is precisely at this point that everyone
who has received a letter of gratitude for helping someone along knows what it
feels like. I have found it to be so for even the very small instances that I
have gone out of my way to lend a hand. Imagine a whole life dedicated to
feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, helping the downcast back on their
feet, curing the sick, getting justice for the wronged, starting orphanages and
hospitals, bringing hope to the walking dead. Thankfully, many have experienced
the joy of such service and would say to the Preacher, "You are wrong,
there is something better than work,
and wisdom, and every attempt at self-fulfillment…even here, in this life
"under the sun." Without any consideration of an afterlife or reward
then for our efforts here and now, there is no better personal fulfillment than
to work for the benefit of others. However, even though we may find something
better than self-indulgence, we must admit that the preacher is right in his
overall assessment. In the final analysis, without continuity of life and
relationship with the infinite God who is personal, "all is
vanity."
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1 This is stated as a principle
in 1 Cor.10:24 and Lk.17:33 and applied to serving
the Lord which works out as denying ourselves for the sake of
others. Phil.2:20-21, Mk.8:35, Lk.9:24, Mt.10:39, 16:24-25, Jn.12:25,
1Cor.9:19-23, 10:33, 13:5, Rom.15:1-2
WHAT IT TAKES
I
expanded on the above thoughts by asking the question, "Discounting
physical needs, what would it take to complete one, to fulfill one"? In
other words, assuming that our individual personalities go into heaven2 where there
are no physical needs or longings, what is it [about heaven] that completes
and fulfills us? The first answer is
in the area of relationship - love, acceptance, belonging; company and
companionship; to be at peace and at home; to enter into the joy of God in His
own perfection. Maybe this is the whole answer. But that's not the way I feel
about it in the here and now. The second
answer, if there is one, lies in the area of exploration and activity. Once
one is safe and at home with those he loves and who love him, he can unleash
his energies in meaningful and valuable projects - creative effort, work.
In these two areas, relationship and work, one finds what he
is looking for to fill out his existence. Relationship alone is not
enough. All of the pain inherent in a fallen abnormal world will be ended. We
will be without the need or desire for entertainment, diversion, or recreation;
without weakness, insecurity, loneliness, discouragement, boredom, tiredness,
dissatisfaction; with no unsettled feelings, discomfort, uneasiness; plagued by
feelings of being lost, afraid, or outside; unhampered by incompetence or
feelings of inadequacy. We will be free to rejoice in our work and find
fulfillment in it before God.
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2 I am still me,
but made like Christ…righteous, good, etc.