Thought for Today
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity . . . 14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind . . . 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Luke 10:27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
“In contrast to many passages in Proverbs that boil down to ‘do good, and you will be rewarded,’ Qoheleth tells it like it is: nice people sometimes finish last.” (These Days, August , 2025)
Qoheleth is the author of Ecclesiastes. “The name Qoheleth originates from the Hebrew verb . . . meaning ‘to assemble’ or ‘to gather.’ It is the title of a biblical book known as Ecclesiastes, which is often translated as ‘Preacher’ or ‘Teacher.’” (MS Copilot) Ecclesiastes is the English transliteration of the Greek word from the Septuagint.
Aside from providing the lyrical background for a popular song by the Byrds in 1965, Ecclesiastes is a very interesting book. The author of that devotional yesterday is correct to a degree. Although not the overall theme of the book, the idea that “nice people sometimes finish last” is part of the book’s theme. Jesus summarized the idea a bit differently, “Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”
The author of that devotional yesterday in These Days wrote of Ecclesiastes, “Here is the germ of the idea that Jesus will cultivate into his proverb in Luke: don’t let earthly pursuits define your life.” Maybe today is a good day to ask yourself, ‘what does define my life?’ Does your life even have a primary theme, a defining purpose?
I’ve often mentioned the bumper sticker ‘theology’ I used to often see on my commutes to work, “The one who dies with the most toys wins.” Sometimes it does seem that our society has adopted that ‘theology.’ Society often measures success by the accumulation of stuff. Those with the biggest houses, fanciest cars and most glamorous lifestyles are judged to be the most successful. Many people attempt to emulate the lifestyles of “the rich and famous.” Is life all about the accumulation of stuff? Is success represented by wearing the appropriate clothing labels?
Jesus warned “Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
What do you think constitutes “treasures in heaven?” Paul reminds us, “Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—” Do that big house or that fancy car indicate your acceptance of God’s gift of grace? Or, do they constitute evidence of your allegiance to that ‘toy theology?’
Jesus defines things differently, “Matthew 10:41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."
If you want to find examples of those storing up “treasures in heaven,” visit a food pantry and watch the volunteers. If you are confused about how to amass riches in heaven, watch those battling clothing or housing insecurity. Look at the news stories about volunteers providing healthcare in war zones or braving bullets and bombs to bring food to hungry civilians.
Do we have to be heroes? No. Jesus offered the simple example of offering a cup of water to the thirsty. Smile at those you encounter in your daily life. Listen to others when they speak. We all can be heroes and amass “treasures in heaven.”
Stay safe, let your life reflect God’s grace, trust God,
Pastor Ray