Four Priorities

Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 2:11

Solomon looked for fulfilment in laughter, wine, houses, land, slaves, flocks, women, treasure, stature, and more. He didn't find it. And this is terrifying.

It means that after you get through this hard time and find some levity again, you won't feel better. Once you finally get the house/renovation/decorations you've been longing for, you won't feel better. Once you get the job/raise/bonus, you won't feel better. Because ultimately, there is no profit under the sun.

Laughter fades to silence. Wine bottles empty. Houses, lands, possessions, and savings go to someone else once you die. These things are as permanent as the wind...

So, Merry Christmas! What does this cheerful blog post have to do with priorities? Here's the lesson:

Don't let profit dictate priority; let priority define profit.

In other words, money is pointless and not worth your effort. But money earned and used to glorify God, spread the gospel, pursue your spouse, nurture your kids, etc. has real value. It isn't the paper, but its use that gives it worth.

A fine meal at Ruth's Chris is pointless. But a tiny piece of bread and a miniature cup of juice is precious when taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice. A date night dinner or family meal is priceless. It isn't the food, but its use that gives it worth.

Laughing at The Family Guy by yourself is pointless. But laughter from a God-filled heart, shared with people is worthy of your time. (Ever notice how hollow you feel after watching something pointlessly funny by yourself?)

Stuff for stuff's sake. Stature for stature's sake. All vane. But when used to glorify and serve God, provide and pursue your spouse, protect and nurture children - they become worthy treasures.

So, Matt Broadway, don't let profit dictate priorities, let priorities define profit.