Live Like You're Dying

Tim McGraw wrote a hit song called, "Live Like You Are Dying," which ironically enough instructed you to, live like you are dying. His philosophy wasn't original, Solomon had come up with that particular truth 3000 years ago. Here's how he put it: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest" (Ecc 9.10, KJV).

At first glance we want to say, "Gee Solomon, could you be any more depressing than that?" Start thinking about it, and his wisdom bursts through. Remember that in God's unfolding revelation, at the time of Solomon, no one knew what lay beyond the grave, it was a mystery.

Solomon is saying in essence, "we do not know what lies beyond the grave, but it will certainly not be like this life. Live this life while you can. Do what God has called you to do with all your might because one thing is for sure, you will not be able to do it after you die. Live in light of the fact that you are headed for the grave;" or, as Tim McGraw wrote, "Live like you are dying," because you surely are.

The Eyes of the Lord

"Are in every place," writes Solomon, "keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Prov 15.3, ESV). The Scriptures speak remarkably consistently in regards to God and on whom he keeps his eye. Ps. 139.7-12 works out this same truth. No matter how far we run or how much we try to hide, God is never far from us. This is a good thing. This is a remarkable thing. This is the God whom we serve.

The Insatiable Nature of Money

Reading in Ecc 5.10, this morning. Solomon says that the pursuit of money for its own sake is endless. You will never be satisfied with what you have. Life proves this statement beyond a shadow of a doubt. How much money do men need to live on? Apparently, there is no answer to that because one watches men make billions of dollars in a year, only to turn around the next year and try to make billions more. It becomes a matter of ego, rather than actually needing money. Beware the pursuit of money—or anything else besides God the Father—for its own sake. This is vanity.