Qoheleth and the Good Life: Secondary Pleasures

 Solomon wants us to make sure we understand our priorities.  God is our chief concern and we are responsible to remember our Creator in the days of our youth- before we've wasted the short life we have been given.  Other things may vie for our attention but it will be disastrous if we make money or possessions, or relationships, or honor our primary concern.  Let God alone be your goal.

However, once we have that priority straight, Solomon discusses secondary pleasures.  These are good gifts that come down to us from the Father of lights.  We are to see them as our portion, gifts from God designed for our blessing.  Watch for all the things in Ecclesiastes that fall to our account as secondary blessings.

The blessings are not intrinsic to themselves.  Solomon says wealth and possessions and honor are neutral concerns:  One verse says God gives us the power to enjoy them.  Another verse says God could withhold the power to enjoy them.  Solomon is saying the difference is not in the gift but the Giver.

One blessing from God is the reminder that the righteous, the wise,  and their deeds are in the hand of God.  He is our security and our rest.  Whatever secondary gifts we might receive are not worthy to be compared with the contentment available in our relationship with Him.

One assurance regarding our short life in this world is that God "has already approved what you do."  This is as close as Solomon gets to Paul, said one commentator.  Because we have a faithful relationship with God, we can dress in white garments, wear the oil of gladness, and rejoice in the blessings of this life.  God has already approved our work.

Finally, in the midst of our toil, as we carry out the dominion mandate, these secondary pleasures go with us.  As we sweat and toil over the thorns and thistles involved in our work, God keeps us occupied with joy and gladness of heart.  These secondary pleasures keep us occupied with joy.

What are the secondary pleasures to which Solomon refers?  A quick scan of the book of Ecclesiastes is enough to help us find a load of gifts that are curses when we pursue them instead of God, but blessings when they come back to us from His hand.  Spend some time making your own list of secondary pleasures from the book.  Here's my list:

    Eat

    Drink

    Wealth

    Possessions 

    Honor

    Marriage (wife)

    Ability to do good