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 it.1 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 an expression 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, caring for 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
Let’s
expand 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. After all, that’s the way it
was in
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2 I am still me,
but made like Christ…righteous, good, etc.