1. Sermon: Working to Gain What You Cannot Keep

2. Approach to Ecclesiastes
We need to remember that Ecclesiastes is an inspired book of the Bible.
Solomon is not writing these things for us to ignore.
You should not assume that Solomon is writing this as an unbeliever.

3. Solomon’s Thought About Work
Solomon hated his toil/work.

4. Reasons Solomon Hated His Work
All he gained through his life’s work will eventually be left to someone else and that person may be wise or a fool.
All he gained through wisdom, knowledge, skill and hard work will be left to someone who did not work for it as he did.

5. It was this vanity of work that drove Solomon to despair.
Solomon’s Distress
It was this vanity of work that drove Solomon to despair.

6. Solomon’s Conclusions About Work and Enjoyment
It is a good thing to find enjoyment in your work.
You will not find enjoyment in your work apart from God.

7. Two Types of People Contrasted
1st Type: There are those who recognize God as God and they seek to please him through their work and therefore find enjoyment in work. 2nd Type: There are those who deny God as God and do not see his hand in their work and therefore find meaningless frustration in their work.

8. Biblical Principles of Work
Work will always be flawed on this side of eternity – under the sun.
Your calling to work and your ability to enjoy work on this fallen earth comes only from God.
You cannot expect to receive from work what it was never meant to give – meaning and purpose in life.

9. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.