Aug 14 Ecclesiastes 9:13-18, Ecclesiastes 10, Ecclesiastes 11, Ecclesiastes 12 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Psalm 96:1-13

Eccles 12:12-13

My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

This book ends magnificently. It talks about so much that is fleeting and futile and ultimately vanity. And if it left us there, if would be a dour book.

But it doesn’t’ leave us on that note.

First, there’s some good advice. You can study and study and study and in the end only get tired. There’s a great many books out there – and you could spend your life in pursuit of knowledge and really only touch the surface.

So… the writer decides to save us all some reading time. When it all comes down to it, what really matters in this life?

Fear God.

Keep His commandments.

Get that right – and you’ve found the meaning of life. Simple.

1 Cor 9:14

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

There are some schools of thought that are dead set against paid ministry. I understand why that happens, let’s be honest – throughout the ages the church has not always been honourable when it comes to money.

But it’s an overreaction that flies in the face of scripture. From the temple to the new Testament, it’s always been the same. God’s plan is for God’s people to pay for God’s work.

Paul affirms it is good and correct for those who proclaim the gospel to earn from the gospel. Now, yes – Paul also made tents to get by – but nowhere is that suggested to be the ideal, it’s just Paul did what had to be done. Actually the ideal is, ministry is supported by the people of God, so that those in ministry have the time and freedom to get on with ministry and not spent their time on other pursuits.

It is no small thing to live this way. It’s a tremendous responsibility if you are paid by a church to be honourable to that and to be accountable to that – one that every person paid by a church should take very seriously.