What is the meaning of life? What can people do to find satisfaction and happiness? Is it riches, work, advancement, wisdom, what? With life having so many problems and being full of contradictions, where do humans find meaning? Hey Paul, you shout at your computer screen, I've been searching for that for years.

I was in a church service with a guest speaker from Rochester College. That is a small Christian college in Rochester Michigan. He is a professor with a PHD in Bible, among others. The topic was the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Ever read it? Possibly your only connection with the book is the popular song from years back. Well, lets take a look to find out what the "Teacher" claims is important.

The writer, some feel could be Solomon. He is identified as being a son of David. Solomon was know for his great wisdom. He is not mentioned here by name. But that should not take away from the message of the book. Plus it is, as scholars believe, the finest monument to the wisdom of the ages, except for the book of Job. Depending on which Bible version you read the wise man is referred to by titles as the teacher or the preacher. For this lesson I will use the title in the NIV and call him the teacher.

You might read the Bible to find positive messages and it has a ton of them. Plus we know that the Bible has truth shown to writers by the Holy Spirit. Also, we have discussed the subject of depression. So if you are in a hurry to find out what the wise teacher claims is the meaning of life, you might be surprised. In verse 2 of chapter 1 he says that life is meaningless! Utterly meaningless! In fact everything is meaningless! Then he paints a bleak picture. All man's toil and labor under the sun, for generations upon generations, the spinning of the earth, the seas receiving water but never filling, what has been done before will be done again. Can any one say, here is something new? Plus there is no remembrance of old men and even of those yet to come. Bleak outlook for an introduction.

But wait. What about such things such as wisdom, pleasure, work, money, advancement? Give us some thing to look forward to. The teachers writes that he has grown in wisdom more than anyone who has ever ruled over Jerusalem. He says he is a smart guy. Education? Why, just look at his wall full of diplomas. But no. He writes that with much wisdom comes much sorrow. The more knowledge, the more grief.

Wait, how about pleasure? Searching for good laughter? He writes that it is meaningless and folly. He described his homes, vineyards, gardens and landscapes. He had huge staff. He owned more flocks of animals then anyone in town both now and before. Riches? He made Warren Buffet and Donald Trump look like beggars. Anything he wanted, he got. He worked hard and he was well rewarded for it. Some might say that he lived on Easy Street. But when he stopped and looked at all he had and what he had toiled for, it was all meaningless. He states that it was like chasing after the wind.

He went on to talk about his wisdom and education. I have always told my kids to get a good education as it is something no one can take away. Here, he is the teachers' teacher. He is the professor to be marveled at. He likened wisdom to having no education as to light being better than darkness. But then he notes that the same fate over takes both. So what do you gain by being wise?

He hated work. He said it was grievous to him. Again like chasing the wind. All his efforts in business were also meaningless. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. He says that is from the hand of God. But adds that with out Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? The teacher continues, writing that God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness. But, to the sinner, He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. Then it is after that, he writes again that it also is meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Then comes one of the most well known passages of the Bible. The teacher notes that there is a time for everything. Each season has a time. As do birth, death, planting, harvest, killing, healing, embracing, weeping, throwing away, loving and hating among others. Chapter 3 is an examination of the fact that everything is beautiful in it's time. God's action and timing are always correct. They are correct even though humans can not fully understand God's actions. God endures forever. Nothing can be added to or taken away from Him. The teacher adds that no matter what happens, God will bring it into account. God tests men so that they may see that they are like the animals. But then the familiar theme returns. It is all meaningless. We all go to the same place. We come from dust and return.

The teacher then makes observations of things he saw. The tears of the oppressed have no comforter. Power is on the side of the oppressors. The dead are happier than the living, but both, are in worse shape that those whom have never been. He sees other things such as toiling that has no end. Then again he reminds us that it is all meaningless. But he does add an encouraging note. Pity the man who has no friend to help him up if he falls. If two lie together they both keep warm. But one alone, can not. One could be overpowered, but two can defend themselves. He then notes that friendship is important and a strength. He says a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Then we return to the theme. This time the topic is advancement. Improving yourself and trying to get that raise or even a better job. There was no end to those before you and many will come after. This scrambling for achievement is meaningless.

Chapter five instructs you to guard your self when you go to the house of God. In his day, it was the temple. Do not be quick to utter anything before God. Let you words be few. When you make a promise before God do not delay in fulfilling it. If you are not going to be true to your word , do not even make a vow. Be careful not to let you mouth lead you into sin. Remember these are comments the teacher makes to those in church. Ending with, many words and much dreaming are meaningless, so stand in awe of God.

He continues discussing the folly of chasing after money. He claims that the abundance of a rich man robs him of sleep. Plus he notes that there are never Brink's trucks that follow a funeral. You show up naked to the world and you leave the same way. We need to remember that when God gives you riches and happiness, it is a gift. He returns then back to wisdom. The days man is here is like a shadow. We need to consider what God has done. There is no righteous men on the earth who never sin. You may search but never find. All is meaningless.

I will leave it to you to completely read the entire twelve chapters. But I can hear you now. Why should I read this depressive book? No matter what I try to accomplish is meaningless. Why even bother? As the song from years back asks, is that all there is? But wait! Go back and read the message the teacher wants you to hear. Let your self see it. God is the one who provides happiness! If we chase after all that the world says is important and miss God and His work, our lives are meaningless. If you dig a pit, you will fall into it. Money and the other trappings are not what we should run after. In the end God will not be impressed with our bank account or our resume. If you experiment with the pleasures and trappings of this world you can and many times, will, miss God. Remember, do not set up your treasures here on earth. We need to be like Jesus and serve others. We can eat, drink and find enjoyment. We can seek after wisdom. But we need to, as the scriptures state, hunger and thirst for righteousness. We need to keep our Christian family close for protection. We need to have our lives tied with God. If we are near to Him the devil will flee from us. We need to keep our name and reputation good. We need to show God to others and not be quick to anger. We need to be wise in the word of God. We should not be foolish. Now please do not think that means we can not find joy in the Lord. Those who are truly following the Lord should be the happiest people on earth! Chapter eleven starts with instruction to cast our bread on the water. We need to do good to others. We need to serve others. There is one of my favorite thoughts in the Bible that says even if we only give a cup of water in the name of the Lord, that is a blessed service. Why do we do things? For who's glory?

The teacher tells us to remember our creator in our youth. The New Testament follows with a comment that if we teach our children to love, serve and follow the Lord, they will not depart from it. Again, where do we attempt to store up our treasures? What do we set our eyes on? What do we place most important in our lives?

If we become a Christian and love the Lord, we should show it in ALL parts of our lives. It is not just something we do a few hours a week. If we want to have education, wisdom, a good position and a few dollars that is fine. The problem is when that is ALL we want. Have you ever seen a news report where some family's home and possessions are gone from, say a major storm? Have you seen some picking up small shards of their lives while in tears? Then seen others who in essence, say all that is meaningless, as they still have each other? What is the difference between them? Where are their treasures?

In the end, we are to fear God (please, that doesn't mean to be terrified of Him, but to love Him) and keep His commandments. That is the entire duty of Man. Remember we are to seek God first and the HE WILL provide for us. If we do not, we have very little faith. God thinks more of us than He dose flowers, birds and grass. They do not work and God takes care of them. So won't He give us the same care? Wont He give us what we really need?

The teacher was wise. He also passed to us wise knowledge. The entire duty we have, the reason we are here, is simple. Love God. Trust Him. Let Him provide for us. In the end, God will bring to light all we have done, whether good or evil. Will He say to you, well done? Or have you been chasing after meaningless treasures?