Scripture - Eccl 2:21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
Observation - Solomon is discussing the frustration of having to leave something that he has worked so hard to achieve to someone who potentially will squander the responsibility. There is a grave difference between earning something and being given something. I can remember back to my first car and how proud I was of that car. It was mine and I earned every dollar that paid for it. It caused me to respect it and to take care of it and to make sure that it was in good condition (even though it didn't run all the time). It was mine because I earned it. Many times people are looking for something they haven't put any time in to gain. The get rich quick and the fast anointing of God. People want all the glory with none of the guts. Solomon calls this vanity and evil. While none of us can earn our place in the kingdom - we can work for our relationship with God. We can put the time in to develop our relationship skills and our understanding of His word and the nature of the God we serve - the issue becomes taking on responsibility to fast before you have put in the time - cause you to be weak and ineffective. Solomon says that for ever time there is a season - its waiting for that season that is tough.
Application - I know that there are many things in store for me. As a competitive person - I don't always wait and put in my time to develop the necessary skills and temperament to fulfill the call. I am anxious to see the result and sometimes look for the given thing. It is the working it out that causes the deep development in life. I believe that this scripture has application to both my personal life as well as my ministry. Personally I need to wait until I have worked to develop the spiritual tools necessary to achieve God like results. Ministerially placing someone before they have developed the spiritual tools can cause a stumbling in their walk. It is all about the work and the timing of God.
Prayer - Father help me not to be the one that just wants everything given. That I can work for the skills to accomplish your goals. God I need your help to assist those around me in developing the skills to achieve your goals. God help us to wait and to develop and to form the spiritual muscles necessary to carry the load of ministry.
Observation - Solomon is discussing the frustration of having to leave something that he has worked so hard to achieve to someone who potentially will squander the responsibility. There is a grave difference between earning something and being given something. I can remember back to my first car and how proud I was of that car. It was mine and I earned every dollar that paid for it. It caused me to respect it and to take care of it and to make sure that it was in good condition (even though it didn't run all the time). It was mine because I earned it. Many times people are looking for something they haven't put any time in to gain. The get rich quick and the fast anointing of God. People want all the glory with none of the guts. Solomon calls this vanity and evil. While none of us can earn our place in the kingdom - we can work for our relationship with God. We can put the time in to develop our relationship skills and our understanding of His word and the nature of the God we serve - the issue becomes taking on responsibility to fast before you have put in the time - cause you to be weak and ineffective. Solomon says that for ever time there is a season - its waiting for that season that is tough.
Application - I know that there are many things in store for me. As a competitive person - I don't always wait and put in my time to develop the necessary skills and temperament to fulfill the call. I am anxious to see the result and sometimes look for the given thing. It is the working it out that causes the deep development in life. I believe that this scripture has application to both my personal life as well as my ministry. Personally I need to wait until I have worked to develop the spiritual tools necessary to achieve God like results. Ministerially placing someone before they have developed the spiritual tools can cause a stumbling in their walk. It is all about the work and the timing of God.
Prayer - Father help me not to be the one that just wants everything given. That I can work for the skills to accomplish your goals. God I need your help to assist those around me in developing the skills to achieve your goals. God help us to wait and to develop and to form the spiritual muscles necessary to carry the load of ministry.
