PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 4: 16/04/2009

Ecclesiastes Ch 2:verses 1 to 7

The one that slips away

“I thought in my heart, Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good. But that also proved to be meaningless. Laughter I said is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish? I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly- my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. I undertook great projects; I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me”.(Ecclesiastes Chapter 2:verses 1 to 7, NIV).

This reading is one half of a section on seeking pleasure, mostly through gaining assets in life. The second half we will do next week.
There is in most of us a desire to be successful in life and to enjoy the benefits that come from this. So why is it for our author that this turns out to be meaningless. (see verses 8 to 11 as well). How can something really good like winning the US Masters be so meaningless?

For me the answer lies in the temporary nature of this success. In golf we can sense that the only thing that matters is the present. We may win a tournament and achieve some success. If we rest on our laurels and are content with this, then it is likely we will not achieve much else in life. To lose the present and live in the past in life is to begin to die. However if we seek to win the next year and fail; someone else is in the limelight and most have forgotten about our great win.

Either way, all of what we gain in this world is temporary and as much as you try, you enter this world with nothing and you leave it with nothing. And further more; everything you have is never completely safe. We are seeing this in the financial crash at present. Pleasure likewise is temporary whether we are talking about a holiday, sex, getting drunk or however we might perceive pleasure. Eventually some adjusting to reality is necessary when we go back to work or getting over a hangover or realising sex comes with responsibilities.

Our concept of pleasure can also have a devastating effect on other people. It is so sad in our society that the view still persists is that the only way you can really enjoy yourself is to drink alcohol. How sad to see this in our youth, a view of life that adults has led them to believe.

Part of the wisdom in life is to have a sober assessment of the value of pleasure and success and material gain. It’s good to have them, but it is not everything. Jesus made those famous words that you can be rich in this world yet poor before God. (See Luke Chapter 12 verse 13 to 21).

Prayer Lord God, please help me to be content in life with what I have, while I strive to do my best. Amen.

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