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Solomon had it all: tremendous intellect, power, and wealth. But he failed to heed his own advice, and began a downward spiral. Near the end of his life, Solomon took an honest look back. Then he wrote this book to spare his readers the bitterness of learning the hard way that everything apart from God is empty, hollow, and meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:2

1. Looking through the lens of risk, what do you observe from 11:1-6?
2. But if your grid is opportunity, what do you glean from the same verses?
3. Instead of waiting for ideal conditions that may never materialize, are there actions you need to take now?
4. What advantages of youth does Solomon cite in verse 7 and following?
5. But what is the hazard associated with youthful enthusiasm and drive?
6. What advice (11:8) does Solomon share with his fellow seniors?
7. How can a man at any stage of life honor his Creator?

Ask God to expel emptiness from your life as you encounter significance through serving Him and others.

1 Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. 2 Divide your gifts among many, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. 3 When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down. When a tree falls, whether south or north, there it lies.

4 If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. 5 God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb. 6 Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow—perhaps they all will.

7 Light is sweet; it's wonderful to see the sun! 8 When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember that the dark days will be many. Everything still to come is meaningless. 9 Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, still faces the threat of meaninglessness.

1Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. 2It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Jesus, fill me with the abundant life promised in Your Word. Give me Your wisdom to live right.

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