The Tribune

By Rev Angela Palacious

IN Ecclesiastes, the writer speaks of life as an “unhappy business.” He had found most human-oriented pastimes to be a waste of time. He had lived a life of pleasure but found no lasting satisfaction.

Next, he had thrown himself into work, building houses, growing crops, creating gardens with pools and fruit trees, but still he felt empty. He had many women (looking for answers in promiscuous living), amassed a great wealth, and was pleased with his success until he realised that someone else would inherit it all, and very likely squander it.

Finally, the thought occurred to him that as wise as he was, death would reduce him to the same condition as the fool. King Solomon concludes: “What do mortals get from all their toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.” (Eccles. 2: 22-3 NRSV).

Have you found this to be true for you? Have you reached the brink of despair that nothing really makes sense? Where else do you look for answers?

Our Lord Jesus Christ makes the distinction between having an eternal perspective, and living only for this world, when death cancels out material possessions: God says to the rich man: “This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things that you have prepared, whose will they be? So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves and are not rich towards God. He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” (Luke 12: 20-23 NRSV).

True wisdom is to be found in the desire to love, serve and please God. The life King Solomon described cannot be compared to living as one made in the image of our creator. Our new self gives us identity, direction and purpose. True wealth is found in living a godly life: As God’s chosen, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you (Col. 3:12-14 NRSV).

Forbearing, forgiving, loving, peaceful, harmonious, grateful service, lifted praises to God, these are the characteristics of a life that has eternal value. If everything you do is for the sake of God to the glory of God, it brings an indescribable joy. You leave a legacy of love. There is no living in vain when you live for the Lord.