Who Knows What Is Good For Man?

Ecclesiastes 7:1-10

Introduction

• How do you react to the following? –You don’t know what’s good for you

–Surprise? Resentment?

• God knows what is best–Some question His ways

–Others ask whether He knows

Good Name or Precious Ointment?

• Difficult concept for many–A good name highly valued then

–Remember Mary? (John 12:5)

–A feeling of confidence

Good Name or Precious Ointment?

• Value of a good name–Character vs. reputation

–Reputation (Philippians 2:12-16)

–Guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23)

–Hard to overcome a bad reputation (Acts 9:26)

–Valuable possession (Proverbs 22:1)

Day of Death or Day of Birth?

• Better than …–Graduation day? Wedding day?

–Birth of our children and grandchildren?

• “Better” is not happier–Joy is good (Philippians 1:23, 24)

–Names in heaven (Luke 10:20)

–Die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13)

Day of Death or Day of Birth?

• Learn the value of time–Number our days (Psalm 90:12)

–Life soon over (James 4:14)

–Use them for God’s purposes

House of Mourning or House of Feasting?

• Writer depressed?–Pass up a feast?

–Feasting is about the present

–Mourning about the future

House of Mourning or House of Feasting?

• Wisdom gained in the day of death–End of all of us

(Ecclesiastes 12:6-8; Hebrews 9:27)

–Learn about the certainty of death, the vanity of possessing earthly things

–Value of people

House of Mourning or House of Feasting?

• Sorrow better than laughter–Better, not happier

–Made better by a sad countenance

–Godly sorrow works repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Conclusion

• True value of things

Living on The Ragged Edge“There’s a true story that comes from the sinking of the Titanic. A frightened woman found her place in a lifeboat that was about to be lowered into the raging North Atlantic. She suddenly thought of something she needed, so she asked permission to return to her stateroom before they cast off.”

Living on The Ragged Edge“She was granted three minutes or they would leave without her. She ran across the deck that was already slanted at a dangerous angle. She raced through the gambling room with all the money that had rolled to one side, ankle deep.”

Living on The Ragged Edge“She came to her stateroom and quickly pushed aside her diamond rings and expensive bracelets and necklaces as she reached to the shelf above her bed and grabbed three small oranges. She quickly found her way back to the lifeboat and got in.”

Living on The Ragged Edge

“Now that seems incredible because thirty minutes earlier she would not have chosen a crate of oranges over even the smallest diamond. But death had boarded the Titanic. One blast of its awful breath had transformed all values.”

Living on The Ragged Edge

“Instantaneously, priceless things had become worthless. Worthless things had become priceless. And in that moment, she preferred three small oranges to a crate of diamonds. Death gives you that kind of wisdom”

Conclusion

• True value of things

• What is your perspective on life?