Author: Kevin Corbin

  • Meaningless to Meaningful

    What Ecclesiastes Teaches About Meaning in Life 

    Leaves blowing in the wind

    I’m often asked what my favorite book of the Bible is, and typically I answer Romans. Surprisingly, though, I often find myself in Ecclesiastes. I love Romans for its robust, deep theology. Paul wrestles with some very difficult questions and teaches us things that can be hard to hear.

    Ecclesiastes, on the other hand, is King Solomon’s lament. Solomon had it all. He was the richest and wisest man in the world at the time. His influence shaped nations near and far. His nation was an economic powerhouse that reached every corner of the known world. 

    Near the end of his life, he comes to some startling conclusions about all He is, has and has done. 

    The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 ESV

    That theme echoes throughout the short book.  All of it is meaningless. All is vanity, emptiness, a chasing after the wind. That’s a harsh condemnation because the things He calls meaningless are what the world tells us will bring us completeness, happiness and fulfillment.

    If that’s true, where is the meaning in life? Where do we find our purpose? Fortunately, Solomon answers that for us.

    The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ESV

    The Apostle Paul writes:

    Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

    Jesus put it this way,

    But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV

    Stepping outside the Scriptures, the Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that the chief end of humanity is

    “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever”

    The key to meaning in life is to follow after the things of God. Nothing else will satisfy. It’s the purpose God created you for.

    Are you chasing after the wind or the things that will really fulfill you?

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    I love Romans for its theology, but Ecclesiastes is where I keep returning. Solomon’s verdict on a life that had everything still cuts through today, and his answer to that emptiness is the answer to ours.

    TAKEAWAY

    You can gain everything the world calls success and still find it empty, because none of it was ever built to satisfy you.

    The answer isn’t found in more. It’s found in fearing God and keeping His commandments, no matter how much or how little you have.

    Ask yourself honestly: are you chasing after the wind, or are you chasing after the one thing that actually lasts?

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  • Gold, treasure hunting and the kingdom of heaven

    A vial of Nova Scotia gold

    The little vial in the photograph contains raw gold. It was mined in a small private mine in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia gold is prized as some of Canada’s finest because of its warm, buttery color.

    I’ve always been attracted to bright shiny things. My mother used to tease me that I must be related to crows and ravens because they too are fascinated by shiny things.

    I’ve panned for gold and hunted for many other forms of treasure. I love semi-precious gems or even simply interesting-looking rocks and stones. I hate to leave a pretty rock behind.

    I’ve found dinosaur bones and fossils. I have stumbled across the occasional arrowhead and other artifacts. Old bottles and bits of metal have caught my eye.

    I have a small piece of driftwood that is actually a root. It is different because a rock is entangled in the root, and the root grew around it. It has no value other than to me, but it sparks my curiosity. 

    Old, rare, leather-bound books seem to call to me. I have this desire to collect and curate them for future generations.

    I love thrift stores, garage sales and auctions. Even if I don’t find something to buy I enjoy the thrill of the “treasure hunt”.

    Yet, as much as I appreciate such things, I know that their value is transitory. I don’t know that the streets of heaven are literally made of gold or the walls of precious stones, but the Bible uses that imagery. Certainly, the value of things will be inverted in glory.

    In this world people value things and use people. There we will use thing and value people. I know that saying is a bit cliché, but it holds truth nonetheless.

    At least two of Jesus’ metaphors about the kingdom speak of treasure seekers of sorts. Especially people who prize the earthly value of treasures.

    “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

    “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-45 NIV

    As much as they understood the value of earthly treasure, these men understood that the kingdom was of more infinite worth. It was worth everything they had.

    Jesus said,

    “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

    There isn’t anything new to us in these words. If we have been in church for any length of time, we can probably quote them and understand their context and meaning.

    Still, we are like sheep, easily distracted. Something shiny comes along and distracts us, and suddenly we have veered off course and are chasing the treasure of this world.

    There is no harm in owning some of the treasure unless they really own us. When we seek them to the exclusion of God, or we worry more about them than the things of God, we have a problem.

    Now, the earthly things that I consider treasures may hold no value whatsoever in your eyes. Still, we all need to examine our hearts to see what we place ahead of God. What treasures have become idols in our lives?

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    A vial of raw Nova Scotia gold got me thinking about my lifelong love of collecting treasures, from rocks to rare books. Jesus reminded me that the kingdom of heaven is treasure worth far more than anything we could ever dig up or collect.

    TAKEAWAY

    However precious, earthly treasures are only temporary. The kingdom of heaven is worth infinitely more than anything you could ever collect or own. 

    Loving beautiful or interesting things isn’t wrong in itself, but it becomes a problem when you value those things more than you value God. 

    Take time to examine your heart and ask what treasures may have quietly become idols competing with God for first place in your life.

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