ECCLESIASTES SERIES
Ecclesiastes 7:1-10
BETTER LIVING
(Lesson #7 in the Series on Ecclesiastes)
Note: Evidently when I
did this series I did not cover chapter 6.
If you wish to cover it, feel free, or just move on with us to chapter
7.
Sometimes it is good to
want something better (Give examples.)
Sometimes it is not so
good to want something better (Give examples.)
The key word in this
passage is the word "better". Solomon shows us several things which,
in his opinion, are better.
THE BETTER TREASURE -
Vs. 1a
Reputation is the topic
here. The better treasure is a good name. This is more valuable even than
precious (and expensive) ointment. Proverbs 22:1, Colossians 4:5, 1 Timothy 3:7
THE BETTER DAY - Vs. 1b
Believe it or not, the
second part of this verse is directly related to the first part.
In most cases the day of
one's birth is a happy day for parents and grandparents as well as other
relatives and friends. But because of the value of a good name the day of one's
death can be more valuable that the day of one's birth.
If you and I come to the
end of our lives having been born-again we are on our way to Heaven. And, if we have maintained a good testimony,
we can be confident that we have pleased the Lord, and will receive rewards
from Him. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
THE
Solomon is saying that
it is better to be in the funeral parlor than the banquet hall!
Death is something that
is true for each individual. It is something we all have in common.
Hebrews
When there is death,
people who are alive "lay it to heart". They start to reflect and
think about their own frailty and the likeliness of their own death. This can
lead them to think about eternity and getting ready for it (Romans
THE BETTER EMOTION -
Vss. 3-4
There is nothing wrong
with laughter. Proverbs
However you will find more
wise men at a funeral and more fools at a party!
THE BETTER SOUND - Vss.
5-6
The sound of a wise
rebuke is better than the sound of a foolish song! Galatians 6:1
Vs. 6 - The crackling of
thorns as they burn under a pot is very noisy. However, little heat is
generated. There is more noise than heat! So it is with the laughter of a fool,
there is noise but no substance.
THE BETTER POSITION -
Vs. 8a
The better position is
that of a good finish. It's nice to start something but it is better to finish it,
and finish it well. It is important that a Christian finishes well, and God's
power makes it possible. Philippians 1:6,
THE BETTER ATTITUDE
(SPIRIT) - Vss. 8a-9
It is better to have a
patient attitude than a proud or angry attitude.
THE BETTER DAY - Vs. 10
Solomon is telling us
that we should not mourn for the "good old days". I think it was
Warren Wiersbe who said "The good old days are a combination of a bad
memory and a good imagination."