Ecclesiastes 2:18-26
Book Overview
Grace that Works
Have you ever had a job that you just thought was pointless? The people didn’t care, the folks you worked with messed up what you did well, and the biggest thing it seemed to give you was a headache?
How did you deal with that… either in a healthy way or not?
Did the Lord teach you anything through that?
Take the full picture in. The Teacher laments the reality of work that isn’t appreciated, deserved, stewarded well, or easy.
First of all, why is work this way? (Read Genesis 3:17-19 if needed!)
Second, have you ever thought about us as the God’s work that went wrong—the co-workers who fumbled the ball, mishandled what was handed to us, and completely screwed up what God had been working to do?
How does God deal with us in light of that? Does he give up on his work, throw his hands in the air, and call it a day?
Considering how God works in, on, and through a futile creation (including us!), how should we then approach our work in that same creation?
Do you approach work in order to find your meaning? Or do you approach your work with meaning that comes from God and transcends creation?
What’s the difference?
Gracious Work that Lasts
Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. What does Paul here say about the work we do?
Does any of our work last? What kind?
Can you see how this applies to your work?
Do any of us last? Even if everything we produce is burned up, do we make it?
How does this liberate our hearts in the way we think about work?
Where does The Teacher seem to agree—or disagree!—with what Paul says here?
How can this passage free us to work hard, work purposefully, and enjoy the fruits of our labor in a fresh, new way that honors the Lord?