Ecc2:1-11 Ambition (2/4)

# Ambition

## Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
### The Search for Meaning (2/4)

[Caleb George](https://unsplash.com/photos/URmkfvtK3Qw "caption")

---

1. *Sat pm:* What is **Wisdom**? [(ch1)](# "ref")
1. *Sun am:* Is there meaning 
 in **Ambition** + **Money**? [(ch2,5)](# "ref")
1. *Sun pm:* What is the **Fate** of mankind? [(ch9)](# "ref")
1. *Mon am:* What is the meaning of **Life**? [(ch12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Sol's **experiments**
  + what do people **do** to find meaning?
  + **try** each one out
  + still with **wisdom**
  + to find its **result**

---

# What are my **goals** in life?

>>>
+ **career** goals (e.g., doctor)
+ **relationship** / family / kids
+ **career** goals for **kids** (e.g., doctor)
+ **retire** and be **happy**
+ is that **all** there is to life?

******
[1](# "ref")
I said in my heart, “Come now, 
I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” 
But behold, this also was vanity.

[2](# "ref")
I said of laughter, “It is mad,” 
and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

[Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 (ESV) (p.1/7)](# "ref")

******
[3](# "ref")
I searched with my heart 
how to cheer my body with wine -- 
my heart still guiding me with wisdom --

and how to lay hold on folly, 
till I might see what was good for 
the children of man to do under heaven 
during the few days of their life.

[Ecclesiastes 2:3 (ESV) (p.2/7)](# "ref")

******
[4](# "ref")
I made great works. 
I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

[5](# "ref")
I made myself gardens and parks, 
and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.

[6](# "ref")
I made myself pools from which to water 
the forest of growing trees.

[Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 (ESV) (p.3/7)](# "ref")

******
[7](# "ref")
I bought male and female slaves, 
and had slaves who were born in my house.

I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, 
more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.

[Ecclesiastes 2:7 (ESV) (p.4/7)](# "ref")

******
[8](# "ref")
I also gathered for myself silver and gold 
and the treasure of kings and provinces.

I got singers, both men and women, 
and many concubines, 
the delight of the sons of man.

[9](# "ref")
So I became great and surpassed all 
who were before me in Jerusalem.

Also my wisdom remained with me.

[Ecclesiastes 2:8-9 (ESV) (p.5/7)](# "ref")

******
[10](# "ref")
And whatever my eyes desired 
I did not keep from them.

I kept my heart from no pleasure, 
for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, 
and this was my reward for all my toil.

[Ecclesiastes 2:10 (ESV) (p.6/7)](# "ref")

******
[11](# "ref")
Then I considered all that my hands had done 
and the toil I had expended in doing it,

and behold, all was vanity 
and a striving after wind, 
and there was nothing to be gained 
under the sun.

[Ecclesiastes 2:11 (ESV) (p.7/7)](# "ref")

---

## Ambition [(Ecc2)](# "ref")
1. **Pleasure** [(v1-3)](# "ref")
1. **Projects** [(v4-6)](# "ref")
1. **Possessions** [(v7-9)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 3 aspects of what Sol **tried**
+ **search** for meaning, lasting **value**

---

I said in my heart, “Come now, 
I will **test** you with **pleasure**; enjoy yourself.” 
But behold, this also was **vanity**.

[Ecclesiastes 2:1 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Kelsey Chance](https://unsplash.com/photos/tAH2cA_BL5g "caption")

>>>
+ **test**: kept **wisdom** with him
  + an **experiment**, not **indulgence**
+ "life is **short**", so **maximise** enjoyment
  + spend **youth** earning **money**
  + then spend **money** to regain **youth**
+ why not just live for **today**?

---

I said of laughter, “It is **mad**,” 
and of pleasure, “What **use** is it?”

[Ecclesiastes 2:2 (ESV)]("ref")

>>>
+ we use **entertainment** to **distract** ourselves
  + but doesn't make **problems** go away
+ e.g., **cruise** comedian:
  + leave your **troubles** at the dock
  + they'll **still** be there when you return
+ e.g., **video games**, bar/drinking
  + **"retail therapy"** (mall)
+ not that they are **bad**
  + but if we all **die** anyway,
  + what **use** is pleasure?
+ Eph 5 admonishes:

---

Look carefully then how you **walk**, 
not as unwise but as **wise**,

making the best use of the **time**, 
because the **days** are evil.

Therefore do not be **foolish**, but 
understand what the **will of the Lord** is.

[Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ NT also acknowledges the days are **evil**
  + the **era** we live in
  + **injustice** in the world
  + **futility** of our short lives
+ but don't **give up**
  + or **indulge** in what feels good
+ short **time** on earth means all the **more**
  + must pursue God's **will**
+ seek **wisdom** that comes from God
  + only He sees the eternal picture

---

# Is it wrong to pursue **happiness**?

>>>
+ Eccl also says it is a **blessing**
  + to be **content** and find **joy** in work
+ but is happiness the **goal**?
  + if **not**, what is?

---

## Ambition [(Ecc2)](# "ref")
1. Pleasure [(v1-3)](# "ref")
1. **Projects** [(v4-6)](# "ref")
1. Possessions [(v7-9)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Sol tried pursuit of **happiness**
+ what about **building** things?

---

I made great **works**. 
I built **houses** and planted vineyards for myself.

I made myself **gardens** and parks, 
and planted in them all kinds of fruit **trees**.

I made myself **pools** from which to water 
the forest of growing trees.

[Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Julian Böck](https://unsplash.com/photos/agS-BtrQZrs "caption")

>>>
+ had **resources** + **peace**
+ **palace** for himself
  + another for **judgment**
  + another for Pharoah's **daughter**
  + **temple** for God: historically **famed**

---

Then I considered all that my **hands** had done 
and the **toil** I had expended in doing it,

and behold, all was **vanity** 
and a striving after **wind**,

and there was nothing to be gained 
**under the sun**.

[Ecclesiastes 2:11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ian Espinosa](https://unsplash.com/photos/oXo6IvDnkqc "caption")

>>>
+ ch2b: all goes to **heir**
  + will he **appreciate** it?
  + will it **harm** him?
  + will anyone **remember** legacy?
+ in **this** life, only **fleeting** reward:

---

My heart found pleasure in all my **toil**, 
and this was my **reward** for all my toil.

[Ecclesiastes 2:10 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ echoed in **ch5** (passage on **money**):

---

Everyone also to whom God has given 
**wealth** and possessions 
and power to **enjoy** them,

and to **accept** his lot and **rejoice** in his toil 
-- this is the **gift** of God.

[Ecclesiastes 5:19 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Piha Beach, NZ. Tim Marshall](https://unsplash.com/photos/Wa-gS5R58gA "caption")

>>>
+ sounds nice, similar to **secular** self-help
+ be **content**, **enjoy** what you have
  + **gift** / blessing from God
+ continue in **v20**:

---

For he will not much **remember** 
the days of his life because 
God keeps him **occupied** with joy in his heart.

[Ecclesiastes 5:20 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")
[Piha Beach, NZ. Tim Marshall](https://unsplash.com/photos/Wa-gS5R58gA "caption")

>>>
+ so is that **all** we have to look forward to?
+ **distract** ourselves with
  + being **busy**
  + staying **content**
+ and don't **think** about how **useless** it is?
+ what give us **job satisfaction**?
  + depends on who we're **working** for:
  + ourselves, **corporation**, family expectations
+ do we have a **higher** calling?
  + serve a greater **Master**:
+ Parable of 5/2/1 talents Mt 25:

---

Well done, **good** and **faithful** servant. 
You have been faithful over a **little**; 
I will set you over **much**. 
Enter into the **joy** of your master!

[Matthew 25:21 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Steven Van Loy, Biarritz, France](https://unsplash.com/photos/oUhSla4L_98 "caption")

>>>
+ parable of **talents** (Mt25)
+ our **Creator** is our **Master**
  + He defines our **purpose**
  + defines **success** / job well done
+ our **reward** is to enter into His **joy**
  + Father well-**pleased** with us
  + **relationship**, not prizes
+ e.g., JJ: daddy why don't you **smile** more?

---

# Have I had the **satisfaction** of a "job well done"?

>>>
+ e.g., friend who (when single) did **running**
  + 60-80km 2-3x/wk, Vancouver-Langley
  + measure **progress**
  + set **goals** + attain them
+ but **greater** satisfaction is:
  + enter into **joy** of Heavenly **Father**
  + not based on own **efforts**
  + but Jesus' **forgiveness**

---

## Ambition [(Ecc2)](# "ref")
1. Pleasure [(v1-3)](# "ref")
1. Projects [(v4-6)](# "ref")
1. **Possessions** [(v7-9)](# "ref")

>>>
+ easy to get **jealous** of what others have
+ latest **phone**, car, job title
+ **commercials** don't sell a **product**
  + sell a **lifestyle**
  + drink this **beer** and you'll be
  + **surfing** in Hawaii with beautiful women!
+ **Sol** had the means to buy
  + **everything** his heart desired:

---

I had also great **possessions** 
of herds and flocks, 
more than any who had been 
before me in Jerusalem.

I also gathered for myself **silver** and **gold** 
and the **treasure** of kings and provinces.

[Ecclesiastes 2:7,8 (ESV)](# "ref")
[NegativeSpace.co/money](https://www.pexels.com/photo/working-business-money-coins-34204/ "caption")

>>>
+ e.g., JJ too many **toys**
+ as number of **toys** increases,
  + **enjoyment** of them decreases
+ I have toys, too!  Only get more **expensive**
+ earn **income**: feel **entitled** to buy toys
  + **my** money to spend as I wish
+ forgot **all** I have is by God's **providence**
  + even ability to **think**, work
+ in Luke 12, a man felt **cheated**
  + by brother, over **inheritance**
+ asked Jesus to **arbitrate**
  + Jesus **replied**:

---

Take care, and be on your **guard** 
against all **covetousness**,

for one's **life** does not consist in 
the abundance of his **possessions**.

[Luke 12:15 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ You are worth **more** than just your bank account!
+ e.g., aging retired **father**:
  + **duty** to provide for kids, but
  + kids see him as **"bank of daddy"**
+ he sees **himself** that way, too!
  + use **money** to exert influence
  + do as I **say**, or
  + I exclude you from my **will**!
+ our Heavenly Father **treasures** you as His child
  + not for what you can **give** to Him
  + you are more **valuable** than your possessions
+ but we are **richly** blessed
  + **wealthy** compared to most of world
  + **how** should we live?
  + 1Tim6 addresses the **rich**:

---

As for the **rich** in this present age, 
charge them not to be **haughty**, nor to 
set their **hopes** on the uncertainty of riches,

but on **God**, who richly **provides** us 
with everything to **enjoy**.

[1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ watch out for **pride**
+ don't **rely** on money as **safety net**
+ ch5: money can **disappear** easily
  + money can **hurt** its owner
+ our real safety net is our **Father**
  + **generous** and **gracious**
+ **blesses** us so we can in turn **bless** others:

---

They are to do **good**, to be rich in good **works**, 
to be **generous** and ready to **share**,

thus storing up **treasure** for themselves 
as a good foundation for the **future**, 
so that they make take hold of 
that which is **truly** life.

[1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ give as **generously** as God has given to us
  + (haplotes): **whole**, open heart,
  + sincere, not duplicitous
+ the real **treasure** is not in the banks
  + take hold of Jesus' true **life**

---

# What gives me **security**?

>>>
+ having enough **money** to pay off house?
  + or buy houses for **kids**?
+ keeping a good **job** to earn that money?
+ keeping a sharp **mind** / able **body** to do that job?
+ preserving my **health** so I can have a sharp mind?
+ what if all of that were to **disappear**?

---

---

## 1. What are my **goals** in life?
## 2. Is it wrong to pursue **happiness**? [(Eph5:15-17)](# "ref")
## 3. Have I had the **satisfaction** of a "job well done"? [(Mt25:21)](# "ref")
## 4. What gives me **security**? [(1Tim6:17-19)](# "ref")