Life Under the Sun: Wisdom, Wealth, and Worship

This week as we continue in our study through the book of Ecclesiastes, we consider Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20. The Preacher observers that life is uncontrollable and life seems to be decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. The Preacher sees how in this life under the sun, wisdom is better than strength and foolishness, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.  Another evil that's seen under the sun is that kings and rulers make errors when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.

In contrast to what's observed in life under the sun, Jesus establishes a new kingdom and a new way to live. Life is not up to time and chance, but is held in the hands of the Good and Wise King. Followers of Jesus recognize and accept that our life is totally outside of our control. We don't have to live in anxiety and stress because we know Jesus cares for us. Jesus shows us that greatness is not defined by high positions or status, but in sacrificial service. While in life under the sun, money might be the answer to everything, Jesus taught his followers that it's more blessed to give than to receive. We seek to align our heart with Jesus as we immerse ourselves in habits and practices that form our loves. We engage in public and private worship that our hearts may be oriented around Jesus and his kingdom.

"Worship works from the top down, you might say. In worship we don't just come to show God our devotion and give him our praise; we are called to worship because in this encounter God (re)makes and molds us top-down. Worship is the area in which God recalibrates our hearts, reforms our desires, and rehabituates our loves. Worship isn't just something we do; it is where God does something to us. Worship is the heart of discipleship because it is the gymnasium in which God retrains our hearts." - James K.A. Smith, You Are What You Love: The Spiritual power of Habit (p 77)