Title: Do Not Mishandle Your Life
Bible Book: Ecclesiastes 5 : 1-13
Author: Joel Southerland
Subject: Responsibility; Christian Living; Life
Objective:
Introduction
It was missionary C.T. Studd who wrote the poem that contained these lines, “Only one life twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” It’s a sobering poem on several fronts, but the line that HAS to capture our attention is “Only one life twill soon be past…”. It echoes what James told us, in that life was just a vapor. We get one shot at it and that “shot” happens quickly! We have a tendency not to realize how short life is until it is too late!
When we sit down and contemplate this one life, it can make us a little nervous! You realize that you have been put in charge of something incredibly valuable: your life! When you get put in charge of something valuable, you get a little nervous!
Solomon is dealing with that when we turn to Chapter 5. Solomon has been in his rant on the “meaninglessness” of life. The dominant mood of this book is pessimism, but the author, Solomon, was so pessimist or cynic or skeptic, as some critics have claimed. He was a believer who sought to destroy people’s confidence in their own efforts, their own abilities, their own righteousness, and to direct them to faith in God as the only possible basis for meaning, value and significance to life under the sun.
When we get to Chapter 5, Solomon is issuing a warning about mishandling life, and he specifically talks about three areas. Solomon has been talking about the emptiness of time, work, possessions and much more. He has spoken out about injustice and death. If you handle these three correctly, you will probably handle the rest of your life correctly! Let’s examine the passage.
I. Do Not Mishandle our Worship (v. 1)
The Hebrew word “guard” is “shamar”, which has three implications.
A. To exercise great care over Something.
This meaning shows us the importance of preparation prior to worship. Solomon said that worship is so precious, we should prepare before we come to worship. How many of us actually prepare to go to the Lord’s house and worship? I’m not talking about our clothes, but our hearts, attitudes and daily walk. When we don’t prepare, we are treating worship as if it is not worthy of our time and attention. When we do prepare, we are making a statement that we place high value on meeting with God and His people.
B. To give attention to Obligations
We must give careful attention to the paying of an obligation or the obeying of a law. This meaning shows us that worship is to be according to God’s mandates and rules and not ours. And, that, we must take care to worship God as He desires. Solomon was telling us that worship is on God’s terms – not ours! How many churches have forgotten that it was not about them, but about God! Our obligation is to worship that pleases God!
C. To guard against Intruders.
This meaning shows us that there is a potential of intrusion and distraction that we must defend against as we prepare to worship. Wow! We should guard against distractions when we come to worship!
The “shamar” is distinct from other verbs translated “guard” in that it sets the responsibility upon the subject. It is our responsibility to guard our steps as we go into worship! Solomon said we cannot mishandle worship!
II. Do Not Mishandle our Words (vs. 2-7)
Now, Solomon tells us to be careful with our words. He tells us not to rush out with our words, or be hasty with our words. Surely, he has two meanings in mind.
A. Outward Words
How often have we mishandled our life with the words we say to others? Harsh, untruthful, hurtful, prideful and an abundance of words can all cause us to mishandle life. How many times have we hurt our life relationships because we have mishandled them?
B. Upward Words
This is the passage that says it is better to NOT make a vow to God than to make it and break it! How many times have we been guilty of promising God something in return for a blessing?
The overarching theme is found in verse 6, “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin…”
In Titus 2:8, we read, “…sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you”.
And, in Colossians 4:6. we read, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one”.
III. Do Not Mishandle our Wealth (vs. 8-13)
These verses speak of meeting the needs of the poor, and how money, silver and gold never bring satisfaction in life!
Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity”.
Solomon says we are to:
Work hard
Give generously
Not love money
And, Jesus’ formula for not falling in love and mishandling money was to simply give it away; give it to the kingdom! It is more blessed to give than to receive!
So, now, let’s examine our own lives. How are you handling:
Worship
Words
Wealth
Here is the funny thing: If we handle those three correctly, chances are we Handle the rest of our lives correctly! Handle this life with care and start with those “Big Three”! Then, when we stand before God, we can say, “I took care of the life that you gave me”!
T. Studd bore much fruit for the Savior while in Africa as he endured weakness and sickness. He lost most of his teeth and suffered several heart attacks. However, he endured hardness as a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ!
In a letter home, C.T. gave a last backward look at the outstanding events of his life: “As I believe I am now nearing my departure from this world, I have but a few things to rejoice in; they are these:
That God called me to China and I went in spite of utmost opposition from all my loved ones.
That I joyfully acted as Christ told the rich young man to act.
That I deliberately, at the call of God, when alone on the Bibby liner in 1910, gave up my life fort his work, which was to be henceforth not for the Sudan only, but for the whole unevangelized world.
My only joys therefore are that when God has given me a work to do, I have not refused it.”
Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on a July day in 1931, C. T. Studd went home to be with his Lord whom he had loved so dearly and served so faithfully! The last word he spoke was, “Hallelujah!”
