Lesson Six: Fool's Gold

One of the many struggles in this world for me as a christian is not knowing which path to follow. I think it would be so much easier to know what each day has in store so we make plans, make the right choices, and be comfortable. Freedom doesn't work that way. While we are given free will from God, there is always a possibility that we can and will make the wrong choice. The fear of making the wrong choice has kept me up some nights. As I wake up this morning I am happily aware that the word of God offers doctrine, conviction, and correction in His perfect word. In Ecclesiastes 12, Solomon has hindsight for Ecclesiastes 6. We have the luxury of studying chapter 6 to avoid Solmon's frustrations. There are three.

Point One: Wealth Without Pleasure

In Ecclesiastes 6:1 we find how Solomon defines wealth. It is riches, wealth, and honor combined.
Riches - The power and ability to get

Wealth - The ability to have and keep

Honor - glory and fame

Solomon had all these things, but at some point he didn't take pleasure in them. I believe at some point most of us pursue things of this world in hopes of buying the one item that will bring pleasure only to still find a void. So many of us go for the gold with great aspirations with our material possessions. So much so that rather than having riches, wealth, and honor, they have us. Epesians 1:3 tells us we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms through Christ. We have these tremendous blessings in Christ that are meant to bring satisfaction without end. These are true treasures and worthy of our pursuit. Luke 1:30 recounts the angel telling Mary she was blessed among her peers for she had the privelege of carrying Christ. We now too have that blessing. We carry Christ with us wherever we go. We carry His message of love, grace, and mercy. What a privelege.

Study Questions:

1. What are your spiritual blessings?

2.. Are you taking pleasure in your spiritual blessing in Christ?

Point 2: Labor Without Satisfaction

In Ecclesiastes 6:7, we come across another frustration of Solomon's. We all have an appetite. We have an appetite for physical, mental, and spiritual needs. If we limit our pursuit of satisfaction to strictly physical needs, it leaves us out of balance. In addition, our flesh cannot be satisfied. We will always want more. Life can begin to feel as if we are on the hamster wheel again. However, Matthew 5:6. tells us that if we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be filled. Our spirit can be satisfied! When we are living by the spirit we have the ability to bring our souls and flesh under control. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Galatians 5:22. We need to have FUN, Fress Uninterrupted Nearness to God.

Study Questions:

What efforts do you make daily to satisfy your spririt?

Which fruit of the spirit do you need most now?

Point 3: Questions Without Answers

We come to Solomon's final frustration in this chapter. I'd like to think I've become an expert on answering questions. Did you know the average four year old asks four hundred questions a day? Now that I have a five year old, I can tell you there are many questions I've listened to over the last year. To be honest, I rarely answered half of them and to get even more vulnerable, rarely did I want to answer them. I have so many questions for God that go unanswered. My biggest curiosity I must say is creation. There are many theories, but did it really go down like the Bible say it went down? When Job was going through his tough time, there were many friends that offered their opinions as to why these events were occurring in his life. God heard them all. In Job 38:1 through Job 41,God decided to address Job. Essentially, we learn that no one is worthy of questioning God. He does what he does for His purpose. He is sovereign and all knowing.

Discuss with the group how you handle your unanswered questions and prayers.