Aug 26 2018 Nuggets of Wisdom from Ecclesiastes - Give Generously, Sow Abundantly - in Relationships, Ministry, and the Gospel

Lord, thank You for Your love for us and the opportunity to worship You and be brought into Your presence. Please calm our minds – “The steadfast of mind I will keep in perfect peace because that person trusts in You” – may Your love fill our souls – may that be our comfort and guide – what moves and motivates us – that You love us as we are because of Who You are, not because of who we are.

This week we will look at several passages that give us nuggets of wisdom from The Teacher – and there are some gems in this book – we’ll look at some of those.

Ecclesiastes 9:13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

There is this contrast – a king – a city – and a poor man –

The Teacher is taking us back to January – when we began wisdom – there are real tangible benefits.

Even though wisdom may give you some benefit – eventually you will be forgotten and it will be all over with – and there you have it.

We like this kind of story – where the underdog wins. It may make us feel good to talk about people doing it the right way and then being successful.

We would love to have our sports team win and have the good guys on our team – who give back to the community – but, living in Cleveland – we just want them to win! We don’t care what the guys are like…. We just want them to win.

He has this conflict – yeah yeah yeah – but what have you done for me lately – win! Produce! And what we see in the Teacher – what is the real value system?

1 Cor. 1:26 Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. 27 But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, 29 so that no one can boast in his presence.

The feast – the power of the king…

God values the weak – things that are low – small. Think of Jesus’ parables on transformation – The Mustard Seed turns into the largest plant in the garden.

Leaven – a little leaven leavens the entire lump of dough. I think we have failed in our culture to comprehend the true power of God’s small invisible kingdom.

When Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world – that scared Pilate more than anything. If there is something Rome could not see – Rome could not control that.

Our battle is not against flesh and blood – it is hidden, spiritual – and it is only when we win that spiritual secret battle that we have any power in this world. We often focus on the outward battle and get nowhere. If we wish to see our world transformed, we must learn to focus on that kingdom that is not of this world. This is counterintuitive, but that is what Paul is saying in 1 Cor. 1. God works through that which is weak – why? Don’t know, God’s choice! He tells us over and over again that that is what He is going to do.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

True wisdom need not shout – or argue. We live in an argumentative world. It gets louder and louder. And the louder we are – the righter we are.

We don’t have to raise the volume of our voice to be loud – there are passive aggressive ways to do that. We can be loud using a gentle polite voice, but with the evil eye!

The reason that we are such an argumentative society – we have lost the ability to have a simple conversation.

People are uncivil – we think that is the problem. The root problem – whether in social media – or real life – the root issue is fear. We are afraid that we are about to lose something valuable to us – and so we get louder – and more obnoxious.

In churches, this happens – but let me say this – we are making changes – and through this - you have been fantastic. But I also want to say – nothing has happened yet. In a month from now, when something goes wrong – I’m just hedging my bets here…

But for some folks, change is so hard – “It has always been this way!” It is starting WWIII

Theologically – there are good people on all sides of all kinds of issues – and it gets loud because people think they are going to lose something. And I’m not talking about weird stuff – just stuff Christians argue about.

We are afraid of losing money, benefits – etc. – but what is the most common command in the Bible – Do not fear! Not an option – not a suggestion – it is a command.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

I think that is such a funny way to say it. Or as Alanis says – like a fly in your… raspberry lemonade.

Wisdom is beneficial – but a little foolishness destroys it.

Ecclesiastes 10: 8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. 10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

What he is talking about – people going about their normal everyday chores – and something can go terribly wrong. We all know that. We can be driving to work and get in an accident – there is so much we have no control over.

We were talking in our men’s time – what passage do you guys go to when you really need it? Be still and know that I am God.

I think our whole culture needs that. That is a hard concept to grasp and thing to do. In the chaos and uncertainty…

10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

People pull this verse out and say – sharpen your skills and you will be better. But this is talking about the randomness of life – but there are actions you can take to avoid things…

For instance – good driving habits will HELP to prevent an accident on the way to work. But keeping Assured Cleared Distance can prevent an accident – until you hit black ice…

Wise financial planning can be beneficial – but things can happen to wipe out all of your wise planning.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.

Does it make a noise? That is not the issue. In verse 2 – where it says portion – other translations use investment – like giving stock advice – how to play the market – how to have a diverse balanced portfolio – and there may be practical applications to that – but even though the world is out of control, he is saying that there are some things we can do to stem the tide – through wisdom. Wisdom is beneficial – it is advantageous – it is better to live the way of wisdom.

There are four different perspectives on this verse. Here is the central meaning:

“In a world of uncertainty, prepare for all eventualities, because you cannot know in advance which will come to pass. What will be will be. Therefore do not waste time pondering the future, but rather adapt yourself as well as you can to various possibilities.” (Michael Fox)

What The Teacher is saying – casting your bread on the water – spreading out your wealth – this is not a ringing endorsement of how to spread your money – so

1) Send your merchandise overseas – to do diversified business – if you put it all in one boat and that boat sinks – you’ve lost it all. Like what Jacob did – dividing the family so that they wouldn’t all get killed.

2) Sometimes the irresponsible succeed – and a prudent and cautious deed may fail.

3) Take chances – even long shots – and in the far future, you may benefit – but in the short term – take calculated risks –

4) Do deeds of charity – distributing your wealth to those in need.

Generosity

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Prov. 11:24 TNIV)

This is reminiscent of Proverbs 11 – and when Jesus said – make friends with your money. Give and you will receive -

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-- pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. " (Luke 6:38 NLT)

This goes against our thinking. But what is critical, The Teacher is saying – that we learn to be generous. That is the best way to hedge our bets.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

Worrying all the time about what might happen prevents us from doing the things that really matter. That is most important. Again – we live in a culture of fear and anxiety – it consumes all of us – we all struggle with it – let’s just say it. That constant mentality prevents us from engaging in things that are beneficial.

You may do this and it may fail – but go do that – and then do this!

The farmer is a metaphor – sow abundantly – some tomato plants give good tomatoes.

If we had planted just one eggplant – we might have had just one eggplant – but the other one is giving abundant fruit.

How about relationships – taking advantage of every opportunity to strengthen your relationships.

Ministry? We don’t know what we give will produce.

The gospel? When the opportunities come up for us to share our faith – we don’t know. We think this won’t work or that won’t work – but when it comes to our witness – we need to take advantage of every opportunity that God gives us. Paul says this many times – always ready to give a defense – always ready to share – we don’t know! That person may have gone through something at that very moment that they need a word – and again, don’t feel guilty – oh no! I missed the moment! None of that!

But to understand – when God gives an opportunity – He wants us to step into it.