What Matters Most
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
These are the words of King Solomon who was the wisest and richest person to ever walk the face of the earth. God went out of His way to make him rich and uniquely wise. People came from all over the world to listen to his wisdom. His riches were unparalleled. He ate from golden plates and drank from goblets of gold. In his days, silver was as common as stones in the streets of Jerusalem. Solomon had seven hundred wives of royal descent and 300 concubines. He was a king who had it all.
There was absolutely nothing that Solomon could not have. In his own words “I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards...I amassed silver and gold for myself and the treasure of kings and provinces...I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”
What advice would such a “successful” person leave for posterity by way of insight for living? Would he advise us on how to make money? Would he talk about the value of relationships? Would he advise us to hold fast to our families?
No, in the end, Solomon said the most important thing in life is to fear God and keep His commandments.
The man who had it all and had seen it all also realized at the end of his days that wisdom and riches and fame amount to nothing if we live without fearing God and keeping His commandments. His seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines had led him astray from the one true God who had so blessed his life. His legacy was a torn and divided kingdom.
He knew that there was judgment ahead; there was an accounting to give to his Maker.
The truth remains the same for you and I. The conclusion of the matter is: Our duty on this earth is to fear God and keep His commandments for there is an accounting at the end of our days on earth. That is the conclusion of the matter; that is what matters the most!
There was absolutely nothing that Solomon could not have. In his own words “I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards...I amassed silver and gold for myself and the treasure of kings and provinces...I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”
What advice would such a “successful” person leave for posterity by way of insight for living? Would he advise us on how to make money? Would he talk about the value of relationships? Would he advise us to hold fast to our families?
No, in the end, Solomon said the most important thing in life is to fear God and keep His commandments.
The man who had it all and had seen it all also realized at the end of his days that wisdom and riches and fame amount to nothing if we live without fearing God and keeping His commandments. His seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines had led him astray from the one true God who had so blessed his life. His legacy was a torn and divided kingdom.
He knew that there was judgment ahead; there was an accounting to give to his Maker.
The truth remains the same for you and I. The conclusion of the matter is: Our duty on this earth is to fear God and keep His commandments for there is an accounting at the end of our days on earth. That is the conclusion of the matter; that is what matters the most!
Prayer: Father, I ask that you keep my life in perspective of my greatest responsibility: fearing you and keeping your commandments; for that is my whole duty. Amen.