Life is short. Sometimes, it’s very short. That sobering fact forces us to think about what we do (or don’t) spend our time and energy upon. Rick Warren has said: “The most damaging aspect of contemporary living is short-term thinking.” If we sideline God and eternity, things go sideways. And yet, that’s what we often do when we focus exclusively on money, work, sex, fame, success, or even our families.
This sermon is Part 1 in a new teaching series on Ecclesiastes. It provides an introduction, takes us through the first 11 verses, and invites us to ponder this question: “How does the fleetingness of life influence how we spend our time and energy while here on this earth?”
The Teacher in this book begins by expressing frustrations, not by making conclusions. Maybe that’s why we can relate to it so much—it’s honest. There’s a difference between things you have, and things you treasure. Let’s live wisely based on what matters most, not on short-term thinking.