Topic: GOD HAS ESTABLISHED THE ULTIMATE PRIORITIES FOR MAN

Text: ECCLESIASTES 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole

matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this the whole
duty of man.
INTRODUCRION:
How are the books of Ecclesiastes and Proverb related?
(Solomon wrote both inspired books. The books stand in
contrast. Ecclesiastes present the thesis of inappropriate
priorities sought at the expense of a relationship with God.
Solomon concludes the book with an appeal to remember God
(Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now the Creator in the days of
thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw
nigh, when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them.)
Proverbs was written from the perspective of rightly aligned
personal priorities. Solomon wrote Proverbs as one who had
his act together. He anticipated that his son would have his
act together too.)
In our fast-paced society, emphasis or priorities is not
novel. More and more demands are made on individuals for
their time, energy and money. As a result, evaluating and
establishing ones priorities is essential!
Failure to properly establish personal priorities can have
a crippling effect on an individual. For example, many live in an
electrically charged atmosphere of competing priorities.
Accompanied by mounting pressure and increasing intensity,
the competing demands create an atmosphere of frustration.
The result of failure to eliminate the competition is burnout.
Burnout affects many, including Christian workers.
Others live in a chaos on confused priorities. They seem
unable to make choices, and their circumstances control them.
An inability to make decisions by design results in decisions
made by default. Bewilderment often characterizes these
individuals. A more serious effect of living with confused
priorities is depression. Mechanisms such as more sleep, more
television, eating disorders. Etc. function as means of escape
for those who live with confused priorities. A third group of
individuals live with constantly changing priorities that we may
call conditional priorities. These well-meaning individuals
understand the need to set some priorities, but they seem
unable to stick with their priorities. As their circumstances

change, so do their priorities. As a result, they experience

instability and a sense of defeat.
The writer of the book of Proverbs had his priorities
straight. His success did not come without a struggle, however.
The book of Ecclesiastes reveals that struggle, and explains
how he came to understand mans ultimate priorities. As he
wrote the Ecclesiastes narrative, he rehearsed his
philosophical journey, reiterating often the fact the ones
understanding of the purpose of life influences his priorities.
I.

THE PURPOSE FOR LIVING

a. Humanistic purposes

The first chapters of Ecclesiastes examine several humanistic approaches to life. The
first of these approaches establishes wisdom as a challenging purpose for living
(Ecclesiastes 1: 12-18 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart
to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore
travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works
that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be
numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have
gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had
great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to
know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is
much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.)
The aspiration to be wise and to be known as wise is a purpose as a relevant today as
it was in Solomons day. When wisdom is the major purpose for living, the acquisition of an
education becomes a top priority. There is nothing wrong with getting an education, of
course. Even Jesus increased wisdom (Luke2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and
stature, and in favour with God and man.) but if education is the single priority that gives
meaning to existence, it is out of place.
The writer of Ecclesiastes conclude that the pursuit of an education and
wisdom is ultimately a disappointing and burdensome task. He explained:
Ecclesiastes 1:18King James Version (KJV) For in much wisdom is much grief:
and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. was that pursuing
wisdom is like chasing wind.
The writer decided further that pleasure is worthy purpose for living.
His priorities became the indulgence of his own appetites for amusement
and entertainment leading the effort. He gave himself to laughter and wine,

but discovered that these indulgences left him empty and sad. He then
reached for things, as though the ownership of more goods would bring him
pleasure. He acquired possessions, improved property, purchased slaves and
increased his flocks. His bank account grew and, for a time, he derived
pleasure from counting his money. But when the novelty wore off, his sense
of emptiness and sadness returned. This pursuit, too, Solomon wrote, is
vanity and vexation of spirit(Ecclesiastes 2:11).
Pleasure is fleeting. It may certain and satisfy its pursuer for a
moment, but the laughter it brings wears thin, and possessions that seem so
attractive soon lose their appeal. Servants get old; flocks and herds die.
Solomon considered a third purpose for living. He suggested that
wealth is worthy of consideration. This purpose, too, is relevant in a culture
that is addicted to greed. Although the pursuit of wealth in a culture that is
closed linked to the pursuit of pleasure reflects the priorities of indulgence.
The pursuit of wealth produces an addiction to work. But work can be
enslaving. Its demands can consume a lifetime. The writer of Ecclesiastes
came to a starling realization: Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken
under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after
me.-Ecclesiastes 2:18. He finally understood the priority of work had
dissipated his attention and energy. As he anticipated the end of his life and
labor, he was disillusioned. He was stricken with the thought that all he had
accumulated would be left for someone else to enjoy and spend. He saw that
prospect as a rather unattractive payoff for prioritizing work in order to
become wealthy. No doubt he was also aware that being its own elements of
grief and disappointment. Having considerable erosion of the value of money
and goods pts spawns a desire to obtain more. Fear the produces a gripping
dread. The reality that someone may steal it all cripples ones ability to enjoy
it.

b. The Biblical Purpose

In Ecclesiastes 12:1, Solomon summarized his answer to
the quest for lifes purpose and priorities Remember now thy
Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure
in them. He warned his readers about squandering and
dissipating their lives by pursuing things that can never satisfy.
According to Solomon, only a commitment to glorify God brings
and meaning and purpose to existence.

Understanding the purpose for existence was Solomons

first step forward glorifying God. Because he took this step while
he was young, the early years of his life were marked by
obedience to God. While his purpose was to glorify God he
exercised Gods gift of wisdom. Also, God blessed him with all
the material things he might have set his heart on. He expanded
the borders of Solomons kingdom and enabled him to become
so rich that silver was a common as paving stones. In addition,
God allowed him to enjoy the pleasures of life.

II.

THE PRIORITIES FOR LIVING

a. The priorities expressed
An individuals purpose for living affects his priorities. If his purpose is
wisdom, his priority will education. If his purpose is pleasure, his
priorities will be indulgence and gratification. If his purpose is wealth,
work will be carrot and the stick. If our purpose for living is Biblical
rather than humanistic, we will commit ourselves to the principle of
glorifying God. This commitment will influence our priorities. They will
be Biblical. Ecclesiastes 12;13, Solomon identified two ultimate
priorities of the person who commits itself to the goal of glorifying God.
He wrote. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God,
and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Conclusion:
Therefore, God has established priorities for his people that
transcend dispensational, cultural and historical boundaries. Solomon
addressed the humanistic pursuit of priorities in the book of
Ecclesiastes, then identified the biblical priorities in his conclusion. The
believer who would know Gods blessing must order his life according
to Biblical priorities.