PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Study No 17 - 21/07/2009

Ecclesiastes Ch 5:13-17

“I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: Wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes so he departs. He takes nothing from his labour that he can carry in his hand.

This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind? All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.”  (Ecclesiastes Chapter 5: verses 13 to 17 NIV).

Coping with Losing?

We live in a difficult time when people are losing their jobs, our investments are bringing in negative returns and golf tournaments are being cancelled and sponsors are disappearing. Most experts tell us that this is an expected cycle and things will get better. Thousands of years ago the same cycle is evident in our reading. Misfortune is part of life, so are the dark clouds, frustration, pain, anger and loss.

The final nail in the coffin comes when we know that “there is nothing we bring into the world and there is nothing we can take out of it.” Of course this refers to possessions since we know that new birth does bring great joy to the parents and in death we leave lasting memories behind us.

But the point is that as hard as we try, as successful as we can become, as many riches as we accumulate, one day we have to let it all go. I visit nursing homes as a minister and there you see the frustration, the anger, the affliction of losing what you have.

My understanding of all this frustration, toil, pain and loss is that it is both a curse, and a blessing in disguise.  The blessing comes from knowing and accepting this is as a gift of God to let us know that not all is well with our creator. God keeps nudging us in the hope that we might look beyond the material and the surface, to the creator and the one who wants to help us in our frustration.

Jesus says some interesting things about our topic this week. Jesus said:  “do not store up treasures on earth where they will rot but store up your treasures in heaven where they will last. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” (Matthew Chapter 6 verses 19 to 21).

I often think about what it means to store up treasures in heaven? I have come to conclude that it truly involves the matter of our hearts, the things we really value, and the things that we are passionate about. The kingdom of God that Jesus came to establish is about those who allow God to rule and shape their thinking, lives, attitudes, behaviour and choices. Truly, God is their master and the boss.

The other choice is for us to continue to live for the things we can see, touch and possess in the world. This choice will end in frustration, but with Jesus there is an assurance that we can continue to proper in this world and the next. My choice and I hope yours is to follow Jesus.

Lord, help me not to leave this world naked, but clothed with following Jesus. Amen.

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