As always, I find it rather hard to focus on the entire chapter, so instead I have selected a few verses that really popped out to me.
ill gotten gain has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. (verse 2)Well now. It appears that we have all been called out. What exactly does Solomon mean by "ill gotten gain" anyways? (you might be asking). I mean...there's the obvious...cheating on a test, stealing, etc etc. But we all know that that is wrong. The Bible makes it very clear on multiple occasions that the obvious sins are neither the only sins out there or the worst sins out there. Thinking hateful thoughts is compared with murder. Thinking lustful is equated with sexual immorality. Ill gotten gain, no matter how illy gotten it was, is a sin. What about gaining happiness through sources other than Christ? Happiness, I would say, is definitely a gain. Sources other than Christ are definitely ill. Attempting to gain contentment through sources other than Jesus Christ truly do have no lasting value. Not a boyfriend or girlfriend. Not drinking. Not good grades, or perfection, or self-accomplishment, or self-glorification, or even reaching good goals set for your OWN desires. On the contrary, GOD filled relationships and fellowships will be fulfilling. God centered activities will make you happy. And doing everything you do with your whole heart for your Lord God in Heaven WILL be the ultimate source of happiness.
WELL SHOOT. I was going to mention verse 17 but apparently I had a whole bunch to say about verse 2, and I'm not trying to write a novel here...but I will mention verse 17 as sort of honorable mention, or something.
So there it is.
How do you gain YOUR happiness?
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