February 7, 2023 — “The Practical Side Of Religion”

“I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 

“Notice that God has given us four things in this passage. First, He’s the one who gives us the ability to rejoice and enjoy life; there’s nothing better for us than to rejoice. God’s perspective and hope gives the believer the ability to rejoice regardless of the circumstances. The second thing that God gives is the ability to produce divine good in one’s lifetime. Notice that the doing of good is in this lifetime. Galatians 6:10, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” There is a third gift in verse 13, which is an appetite to eat and drink. People who are very successful and wealthy don’t always have an appetite. Quite like a good night’s sleep, it can’t be bought. One can buy drugs to put him to sleep, but he cannot buy the ability to sleep. This is a gift from God. Then there’s a fourth gift mentioned in verse 13, to see good in all our labor, it is the gift of God. Solomon said that each of these four things is a gift from God, as does James 1:17, “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom no variation, or shifting shadow.” (The Eight Experiments of Man: A Commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes; p. 88, Robert R. McLaughlin)

There is a practical side to all things – and all things practical do not bring to us glamour or recognition. In the church, there is plenty that happens that few people notice, few people think about, and few people even care that someone is doing it. They just expect that it will be done, and there will be hell to pay if someone forgets. These things do not bring anyone glory – but they do bring satisfaction that it is done for the comfort or the necessity of a job well done. For example, someone needs to vacuum the Nave and make sure the heat or air conditioning is scheduled to come on before the services. Not everyone is called to preach – not everyone is called to play the organ, the guitar or the piano for worship. But for the church to function, there is a weekly grind that happens so the bulletin is done, the altar is prepared, and the coffee hour is staffed.

Just because the work does not bring recognition does not mean that G-d does not see the joy that people feel for doing the little things, the uninteresting things, and the drudgery of church-life. The same is true in our daily, secular lives. G-d blesses those practical Christians, people who are willing to do the work even if it means weariness, or a lack of emotion, and especially if it requires sacrifice. Just because our faithfulness seems to fall upon blind eyes, our Lord sees all that we do, for the glory of G-d, and for the practical side of life – and the Lord blesses us for it.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, as the writer of Ecclesiastes states: “…everyone should find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” Help me see my work today as a gift to you. Amen.

Pastor Dave