Having It All, Yet Having Nothing (Part Three): Ecclesiastes 6 by Dr. Rod Mattoon

Scripture

• Ecclesiastes 6

About this sermon

Martin DeHaan stated that some time ago he read about an American named Arthur Reed, who was 123 years old. The facts about Arthur are astounding to read. He married for the third time when he was 92, took five mile walks when he was 100, and rode his bicycle until he was 110. He worked until he was 116. When he was asked the secret of long life, he replied, “They made me of good dirt.” No matter how good the dirt is from which we are made, our bodies will eventually go the way of fast fading flowers, fleeting morning mists, and dissipating clouds. Even the longest life eventually becomes like a quickly passing day before the everlasting God. Long life is a blessing when the Lord is leading you, but it is a terrible burden when it is full of sorrow, misery, and discontent. Solomon asked if the poor man has an advantage if he knows how to behave or survive before the living? When it comes to death, he doesn’t have an advantage at all. Both rich and poor will eventually die. If a poor man lives wisely, he does have an advantage. Knowing what is right to do gives him an advantage. What is right to do is to put faith in Jesus for your salvation. One reason folks feel discouraged or in despair about their lives is because they are never satisfied or content with what they have right now. Instead of enjoying God’s blessings they possess, they focus and crave for what they don’t have which leaves them restless. They are not content. Understand that whatever possession or deed you many achieve, it will not satisfy you if God is not in it. Solomon tells us to enjoy what we have now and be grateful to the Lord for His blessings. The Greek biographer Plutarch put it this way, “He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush.” Dr. Swindoll said, “A Big Mac in your mouth is better than pheasant under glass in your mind.” There is nothing wrong in having goals and trying to achieve them. Make sure that those goals will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and not yourself. Yes, Solomon was a troubled man as he contemplated life. He addressed several arguments that people continue to have today. The first argument we will address in this message is the argument about the matter of Creation. This message was preached on Wednesday evening, April 7, 2021 at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.