What is the Chief Good?
...be intentional but the impact is just as evil. God had a plan that did not get carried out because of this person’s pursuit of vanity. There is money that did not go to charity. There is the extra effort that the person expended at his job that could have been spent helping the needy or even playing with his kids. In the end the person loses the joy of life because of the sorrows of his job. Vanity is a very seductive kind of sin that becomes acceptable when everyone condones it. It can easily be justified by saying that “everyone does it”, or “those poor people just need to work harder”. Fear of God and keeping the commandment not to covet would eliminate the problem. The sin would never happen and everyone would benefit. The Chief Good would be served. There may be times that buying a new car is actually what God has planned for you however. (Eccles. 3:1) “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” We will be judged based on our ability to know when the time is right…(Eccles. 3:17)”God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” We must be sensitive to his timing and obedient to his will. This should prevent us from judging others when they buy something that appears to be vain. Only the buyer really knows if it is God’s will or not. How can an individual Improve the Chief Good and what are the benefits? 1. (Eccles: 12:13) “Fear God” and don’t fail (Romans: 1:28) “to acknowledge him”. (Eccles. 8:12) “it will be well with those who fear God”. This appears to be the single most important item covered by Solomon. The Chief Good would increase greatly if more people feared God. It would eliminate many of the corrupt and debased character issues that have arisen from the Godless portion of the society. 2. (Deut. 6:5) “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”. If you do as this verse says you will have a right heart and not seek out evils like (Eccles. 4:1) “oppressions”, and (Eccles. 4:4) “envy”. Even though you fear God you must never stop loving him. 3. (Eccles. 12:13) “Keep his commandments” and (Eccles. 8:2) “Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him.” Following this advice would reduce the tendency to be critical of our rulers. This allows a person to focus on matters that they can directly influence. More importantly it would greatly reduce the crime rate and reduce the amount of litigation that is currently plaguing our culture. Fear of the Lord and Love of God would cause people to want to keep his laws out of respect for him. 4. (Eccles. 3:12) “be joyful and to do good”. As a Christian our joy should be infectious to others. People will just want to know why you appear to be so happy. Many of us could do a better job in this area. It is difficult to expand the Church of Christ if the deliverers of the message don’t have joy in their hearts. 5. (Eccles. 3:13) “Eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.” There is much joy when a person finds their God given task. (Eccles. 5:12) “Sweet is the sleep of a laborer” This is different than toiling after vain items and having days (Eccles. 2:23) “full of sorrow” and “in the night his heart does not rest” We will be satisfied once we know what God has for us to do. 6. Live wisely and eliminate the foolish actions that are identified in (Eccles. 7:1-29). Solomon provides an insight into his vast wisdom in these 29 verses. He goes on to describe how wisdom is better than folly in (Eccles. 9:11-18, 10:1-20) Solomon cautions that pursuit of wisdom is vain if there is no practical application for it. (Eccles. 1:12-18). 7. Avoid vain activities that reduce the opportunity to serve God such as: a. Over emphasizing of our physical needs in relation to our spiritual needs because (Eccles. 3:19-20)”All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” A person’s soul should always be of utmost importance. b. Emphasizing wisdom beyond what is needed to do God’s Work. (Eccles. 2:16)”For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!” The quantity of God’s work that is done is more important than the wisdom of the person doing it. c. Self-indulgence and (Eccles. 2:11)” The toil …expended in doing it”. Your neighbors benefit when you (Eccles. 11:2)”Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. “ You should share your wealth with others and be appreciative when others share their wealth with you. This promotes good will and improves the chief good. d. Working to keep up with your neighbors. (Eccles. 2:22)”all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun?” Your family and others that may need the work more than you will benefit from this. Work hard enough to supply what is necessary but don’t consume your life with the workaholic lifestyle. How many family breakups and divorces would be avoided if this vanity were reduced? e. The love of money (Eccles. 5:10)”will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income”. This is one of the saddest vanities in today’s society. People are willing to do just about anything to get ahead. Many of them will live their entire life without realizing what they have missed out on. Money will never love them back or provide them with joy. 8. Avoid evil activities such as: a. (Eccles. 4:1) “Oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.” b. (Eccles. 4:4)”Man's envy of his neighbor.” This drives vain toil and is evil. c. Pride that prevents one from accepting advice (Eccles. 4:13) This breaks down communication and creates hard feelings for the person offering the advice. Not only does the person fail to learn but the person offering the advice is hu...