People try so many different things to better themselves, but what is the worth of it, if they are not centered around the Lord? As Solomon taught, without God, 1“all is vanity.” He continues to say, 1“what profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” Nothing we have ever gained in this life will go with us in death. Instead, the things we loved the most will one day turn to dust. Surely, the world we lived in will move on, while our soul await judgment. I can just imagine the thoughts going through a person’s mind, when they realize they just wasted their life on nothing that really matters. This will especially be true when these same people see the faithful followers of Christ be ushered into heaven, while the unbelievers and unfaithful men and women of God are thrown into hell fire. Because this is a reality, Jesus also taught, 2“for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” There is absolutely no gain for a person who did all they ever wanted in life but, in the meantime, left the Lord out of the mix. If the Lord God is not with us, there is no safety for our soul, while in this life or the next.
Let us now examine the kinds of things that can be classified as vanity in our lives. Homes, Cars, boats, men or women, smartphones, tablets, gaming systems, TVs, computers and more can all be vanity in our lives, if we allow them to. Let me explain how. If you feel impelled to have the best things in life, those things that you gain are all vanity. Also, the things that we do not need but gain anyways is only acting out of covetousness. With the things mentioned above, we might see another person with the things we want and because of this, we are compelled to purchase it also. Therefore, we spend our money on things that we do not need. Most of these people are also forced into debt and later wish that they could go back and change the past. For example, Solomon had everything he ever wanted, including women, but regretted it all, near the end of his life. Even all the things he learned, he saw the consequences. He said, 1“for in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” There is sorrow for a life wasted in the things of this world. Therefore, if you want to save your soul, give your life to Christ today. Do as Jesus said, 2“if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Will you answer God’s call?
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that myself and others will stay away from the things we do not need in this life. May our coveting days be over. Draw us away from the things of this world and into Your love. Help break our bad habits, that we may seek You instead of the lusts of our hearts. I know how bad things can get when we follow after the lusts of our hearts instead of follow You. So many things I have gained and wish I could change and I know now that all of these things are vanity. None of it was worth living for, for it all led to sorrow and guilt. I may have had good things for a time but then my family suffered because of finances. I may have had pleasure through sexual sin but then my burdens were heavy and I was left in shame. These things left a dark cloud over my head and I am so sorry for the people I have hurt, because of all this. I have sinned against myself, others and You. And for this, I am thankful for Your mercy. You didn’t have to take me in and cleanse me from my sins but You did so anyways. You saw the prodigal coming and had compassion for my soul. Thank You Lord. I now realize that this life is meaningless, if You are not in it. I need You every day of my life. I trust in You, Jesus. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Ecclesiastes 1 (KJV)
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
2Matthew 16:24-28 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Wise words on vanity, very helpful to remind what is important in life. Thanks for your word on the topic.