The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 20 Enjoy God's Daily Provision As He Intends

 In our previous lesson, Solomon concluded that it was good for us to use what God has providentially provided to meet our needs. 

This is the idea that our basic necessities of food clothing and shelter are met, and we are content.

In this post, Solomon will show us the evil connected with hoarding all your wealth and provisions for some unknowable, future day of calamity. 

This is the idea that we do not use God's gracious provision for our immediate needs. Rather, we develop a hoarding mentality and try to acquire more and more to carry us through a disaster of some sort.

A common evil seen in the world.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2  There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2)  A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 

The Preacher, King Solomon tells us up front that what he observed was a commonplace event among mankind. 

Solomon calls this an "evil under the sun" yet, we know that God shines His sunshine on both just and unjust people (Matthew 5:45). He sends His rains and seasons of growing and harvest upon both kinds of men (Acts 14:17). 

A man may possess many earthly goods, and yet not enjoy them. Full enjoyment of food and other goods is not always realized by the person who has a great store of food and goods. 

God does allow many to enjoy His providential provision for their lives, as in Ecclesiastes 5:19. However, there are some who do not enjoy the vast fruits of their labors.

True satisfaction is found in knowing Jehovah.

Psalm 17:13-15  Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: 14)  From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. 15)  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. 

David wrote this Psalm as he was dealing with some enemies who plotted against him. He noted that Jehovah does allow some men of this world to have riches untold, and full bellies. 

Often, such men have many offspring, but David is satisfied knowing that He will awake from death bearing the likeness of his God. 

Use God's provision as He intends it to be used. 

Psalm 39:6  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 

Yet, in another Psalm, David saw the folly of rich men who enjoy lavish lifestyles, and who do not live long enough to enjoy their food and possessions. 

The context of this Psalm is where David asks Jehovah to teach the measure of his days because life is fleeting. 

Therefore, by knowing this and being aware of human frailties, David can enjoy his daily bread from God.

Riches, long life and many children mean nothing without God. 

Ecclesiastes 6:3  If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

This man Solomon is describing is a most pathetic figure. He has many good things life might offer, yet, he enjoys none of it.

Children are an incredible blessing from God. 

Proverbs 17:6  Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.  

He produces many heirs and he might even live a long life, but his soul is not filled with good, because He does not know God. He fails to give thanks to the Father for his bountiful provision. 

He does not enjoy the blessing of children in his family, as a precious gift from God.

He will die without fanfare and have no monument raised to his name. A child born prematurely and in that culture, not able to survive, is better off than this man. 

He cannot find in his heart to take the comfort from the provision of God. He has more than enough to maintain himself and his family comfortably, but he cannot bring himself to partake of his goods and food.  

You may try to hoard it for another day, but it will belong to others. 

Proverbs 5:9-11  Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10)  Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; 11)  And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 

King Solomon warned his son against immorality with the "strange" woman. He did not want his son to suffer the fate of others that he had seen. 

This man Solomon is telling us about, dishonored God by not giving honor to Him for the provisions God supplied to him. Strangers ended up with all the wealth that man hoarded. 

His labors and hoarding were in vain. Too late, he realized the folly of trying to save God's provision for himself, instead of using it as God intended.

Psalm 145:14-16  The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15)  The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16)  Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 

The Psalmist brings the focus on God's provision and it's proper use. All creatures and people wait for the Father to provide. 

He gives food to all in each changing season. It is a picture of the Father opening His generous hands to liberally satisfy the desire for food of every living thing.

Thoughts to Ponder....

Psalm 103:1-5  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3)  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4)  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5)  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, reminds us to bless Jehovah for the abundant and daily provisions that He makes for all people. He especially provides for those who know Him, such that the seed of the righteous never beg for bread (Psalm 37:25). 

All we who know Jehovah, should thank Him for His benefits. We do not deserve them but He gives them each and every day. 

Our loving Father satisfies our mouths with good things. Therefore, we must thank Him, and use His provision to sustain us and for us to enjoy.

Bob