But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish

 Jonah 1:1-6

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”

Called by God to go to Nineveh and denounce the wickedness of the people. Jonah takes the ship in the opposite direction.

The book is about justice and mercy. Jonah has to learn that Israel's special relationship with God does not make him their exclusive possession. God's care and concern - his purpose to save - extends to the whole world, even the Assyrian enemy that in 722/1 destroyed Isreal. The story must have conveyed a strong message to those of the Jewish establishment who shared Jonah's view.

Why?

Jonah loves the Lord but he also hates the enemy, But the Lord loves the whole people in the world.

Jonah ran away from the Lord, but he couldn't for the Lord has authority overall in the world.

The captain wondered why Jonah could sleep, for Jonah knew why the wind was so strong.

Sometimes we may focus on our own problem or pain, but the Lord has a higher view than us.

———

神呼召，人為什麼要躲？

從宗教來看：這樣的人怎那麼可以讓這種人得救。坐船是往反向走。尼尼微在東北方路地上。

神是路上也是海上的神。約拿睡覺神讓船長叫他起來。

當我們用各種方式逃避，都沒有用。使我們失去裏子，面子。當神的呼召難還判斷對不對？

——-==

How?

 Obey the word of the Lord is good to us. For God is good.

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

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 evil.

The use of the third person seems to indicate that this postscript has been added by someone other than the author unless he is adopting this convention by way of conclusion.

The Philosopher has spoken the truth about life, show it for what it is without God. His constructive advice is scattered throughout the book. Now he pinpoints the one thing on which our life turns out attitude to God. There is a judgment when good and evil will be sorted out. We must live in the light of it. The 'fear of the Lord' is where true wisdom - and real-life - begins.

Why?

The words of the wise are like goads, people may don't like to hear but it is good for everyone. Goads are using to drive cattle. Wise words remind us.

Making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. It is true and give us one more warning. Write books to proclaim our name and our idea. Reading is good either but there are too many books it is weary to us, we should focus on the word of the Lord.

Fear the Lord and keep his commandments is the conclusion of the wise word in this chapter.

 ——

坊間各樣學說很多，讓人讀的很累，卻無益處。

人要思考以後的事，爲永恆打算。

ㄧ開始從ㄧ天來看，從當時來看，最後以永恆來看。不要只看眼前。這不是虛無飄渺，而在眼前聖經裏。

——-

How?

Fear the Lord and keep his commandments, may my mind and my heart follow the Lord!

Banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8

Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”

When people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!”

Remember your creator: Practical advice leads straight into the author's conclusions. If life is long, rejoice in it. Rejoice in the light before the dark night of death begins. Let the young rejoice in their youth, always mindful of God who calls us all to account. Don't wait till old age. Don't wait till life has become futile and empty and there is nothing ahead but death. Fear God - hold him in awe - and obey him.

V 8 brings the Philospher full circle. He ends as he began; all is useless, utterly futile.

Why?

Remember our creator in the days of my youth. For our life is to find pleasure in Him.

In our life, remember to banish anxiety from my heart and cast off the troubles of my body for there is judgment after we passed away.

Lifetime is limited so be aware, nothing can stand forever, the dust returns to the ground it came from. All of our journals have the same destination.

---------

為什麼人要有信心的冒險?交託給神?因為1.一切的事神必審問，人要對神交帳。2.當紀念敬畏造你的主。a)人是被造的，不是偶然的，有神的計劃、目的。b)造我的是主，善盡我的本份。

12:2-7 描述人年老的光景。有人說死之前信主就好了，但是到了年老的時候已經來不及了，想到也無法改變了。視力、聽力、口齒已經不聽使喚了，想要重來已經晚了！

當趁耶和華可尋找的時候，尋找祂！

---------

How?

Everything in the world is meaningless!

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed

Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.

Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 

However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.

A collection of proverbs on wisdom and folly, wise sayings, and practical advice.

Why?

For we don't know what will be next, do our best to prevent the disaster come.

Invest in ventures is treat well to us.

Keep today for light is sweet, when pass away there is nothing that exists.

--------

作者要人決定信還是不信。用例子來說明人該有的態度

有信心冒險，也要完全交託。穀物撒在水上是指船運，這是投資需要等待的。更明確說要交給神，冒險卻是有確據的交託。不是無奈的等。

等待中，仍然要做自己的本份。人無法預測中，一方面等待、一方面做該做的。若要等到天時地利人和，永遠無法工作。積極工作，持續等待。不必擔心明天會如何

要有長遠的眼光：幫助別人，為自己的以後舖路。現在有資源要為以後打算。因為未來是不可知的。為以後的日子打算。享用的恩典預備將來的事情，永生的事。

--------

How?

Be a wise man and the consequence will come as what we have prepared.

A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything

 Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.

A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry,  and money is the answer for everything.

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

A collection of proverbs on wisdom and folly, wise sayings, and practical advice, follows from 10:1-11:8

Why?

To be a good manager in a company or nation, remember there is a rule to the staff obey the regulation.

We need tools to work, it may save our strength, but skill will bring success.

Every word we are talking will be known to others, keep our mouth, and love others.

Feast, wine, and money have their purpose, but money is great!

--

人應該看重智慧，這個世界我們如何面對

1.面對愚昧者：智慧很有能力，也很脆弱，善的成果容易被破壞。

2.愚昧者掌權：不要輕易離職，繼續我們當做的事情，不要批判，以免我們也落到審判裏。浪費人力資源的情形，所有人變成奴才。

3.愚昧者掌權危機：做什麼事都會有危機，日常生活中也有危險，即做白工。智慧人會先想好，計劃好，愚昧者只會事後批評。這些智慧都在生活當中。

4.智慧人說話都有恩典：對人有益處。愚昧的人連說話都有危機。只會說不會做。

5.不是不可宴樂、賺錢，而是不該一早就在宴樂！勤快，有目的，還是懶惰、奢華。我們很可能就是那個愚昧者，我們的價值觀是什麼?和社會一樣嗎？兵力，錢財、權力、享樂?

保持平靜的心聽智慧人的言語，不要去批評，柔和謙卑，做好本份持守本位。

How?

Don't be proud or don't be a fool for everything has its rule. Be a wise man.

Wisdom is better than strength

 Ecclesiastes 9:7-18

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

but time and chance happen to them all.

Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come.

So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war,  but one sinner destroys much good.

There is no knowing how long anyone has. So work hard and enjoy life while it last, for death cuts us off from all the world has to offer.

Wisdom may not pay, yet it is still worth more than power.

Why?

Life is limited and no one knows their next hour will come, enjoy your life which you work hard-earned.

Wisdom is better than strength and power, it is truth.

How?

Humble me and honor the name of the Lord, what I can have is the grace of the Lord.

要思念上面的事，西3:1-4

 台南聖教會 20210725   高敏智牧師

要思念上面的事

思念： 你的錢在那裏，思念就在那裏。

應當 歡喜快樂 歡喜快樂 ，因為 ，因為 你們在 天上的賞賜 天上的賞賜 是大的。 是大的。 在你們以前的先知，人也是 這樣逼迫 他們。太 5:12 你們要 先求 他的國和他義 ，這些東西 都要加給你們了。太 6:33 我心裡 柔和 謙卑，你們 當負我的軛 ，學我的樣式 … 得享安息。太 11:29 …………………………………………………………………………………我們 卻是 天上 的國民 ，並且 等候 救主，就是耶穌基督從天上降臨。腓 3:20 他們卻羨慕 一個 更美的 家鄉，就是在天上。…來11:16 你們乃是 來到 錫安山 ，永生神的城邑 ，就是 天上的耶路撒冷 。 那裡有千萬的天使 … 來12:22 12:22

基督 的國(型)  …( 路)基督

你說你是美國人，但是亞洲人的面孔，仍然不是美國人。要栽進去。如大谷翔平，要把路走出來

吳寶春從小希望成為麵包師傅，在那個領域要成為被尊重的人。

選對路比努力最重要性 

簡易大綱：

1.做一個在 (天上 )被(尊重 )的人 • 

2.(選擇 )對的路 比 (努力 )做工 重要 •

3.在(拯救 )關鍵 裡 顯出 (真印記 )

1. 你們若真與基督一同復活， 就當求在上面的事 就當求在上面的事 … (1) 

這些規條使人徒 這些規條使人徒 有智慧之名 ， 用私意崇拜自表謙卑苦待己身， 用私意崇拜自表謙卑苦待己身其實在 其實在 克制肉體的情慾上是 克制肉體的情慾上是 克制肉體的情慾上是 毫無功效 毫無功效 。 2:23

 所以，你們 所以，你們 若真 與基督一同復活， 與基督一同復活， 與基督一同復活， 就 當求 在上面的事 在上面的事 在上面的事 ； 那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。 那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。 那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。 那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。 

3:1 先求 他的國 ? 和 他的義 ?

 他的國: 冒險 (軍人 )

他的義:弦律 (詩人 )+融合 (牧人 )  弦律會敘說故事。

要做一個放神尊重的人

2. 你們要 思念上面的事 思念上面的事 ，  不要思念地上的事。 (2)

因為你們 因為你們 已經死了 已經死了 ，你們的 ，你們的 生命與基督 生命與基督 一同藏在神裡面。

對的 (選擇 )比 (努力 )重要

3. 基督是我們的生命，他 基督是我們的生命，他 顯現 的時候， 的時候， 你們也要與他 你們也要與他 一同顯現 一同顯現 在榮耀裡。 在榮耀裡。

不要彼此說謊；因你們已經 不要彼此說謊；因你們已經 不要彼此說謊；因你們已經 不要彼此說謊；因你們已經 脫去舊人和的行為 脫去舊人和的行為 脫去舊人和的行為 脫去舊人和的行為 ，穿上了新人 穿上了新人 。 這新人 在知識上 在知識上 漸更新，正如 漸更新，正如 造他主的形像 造他主的形像 造他主的形像 。 

不要彼此說謊；因你們已經  脫去舊人和的行為 穿上了新人 穿上了新人 。

… 3:9 … 3:9 -11  你們既是 神的選民，聖潔蒙愛人 神的選民，就要 ，就要 存憐憫、恩慈謙虛溫柔忍耐的心。 倘若這人與那有嫌隙，總要 彼此包容，饒恕 ； 主怎樣 饒恕 了你們，也要怎樣 饒恕 人。 在這一切之外，要存著 愛心 ，愛心 就是聯絡全德的。  … 無論做什麼，或說話行事都要奉主耶穌的名藉著他感謝父神。 

不要彼此說謊--> 不要吹牛

在(拯救)關鍵的時候有真印記

因為我們進入神的國度，我們要在神國度裏被尊重。

With all who live, there is hope

Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:6

A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance. 

Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them.

Anyone who is among the living has hope[b]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.

there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.

Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.

Faith cannot resolve the problem of evil: good people getting what the bad deserve; wicked people admired and having a cushy time. The people of God can only assert what they know is true, though all the evidence is against it. Enjoyment is the best thing in life, says 'Qoheleth'. Yet he applies his own energy to wisdom, even though God has concealed from us the answer to life's mysteries.

Why?

Reverence the king and the Lord is a wise man for our fate is under their please.

Obey his command will come to no harm.

No one has power over the time of their death, so there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.

When we are living we are afraid of the dead, but when people are dead he did not know anything.

Only the Lord is beyond the time and all of us.

[b]With all who live, there is hope

----------

作者勸人順服地上的政權，不要急躁！智慧的人知道什麼時機，適合的方法來行事。否則只會徒增無謂的苦難。有智慧面對這個世代的問題。

不要擔心，無論君王權利如何大，也不能掌管一切，未來要發生的事。也不能掌管生命，靈魂。可以決定人的死，卻不能決定人的不死。

在不公義的社會當中，人在神裏面可以享受福樂！義人所做的神都紀念，無論是否待人稱讚或是忘記。

許多事我們不明白，只要活著，有生命，我們就有盼望。活著的人必知道死，所以知道好好活著，死了的人就什麼也不知道了。活的狗比死的獅子更有盼望。獅子比喻國王。

以斯帖向國王求生命，哈曼求權力、富貴！

----------

How?

Fear the Lord and it is the beginning of wisdom.

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.

 Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

In this meaningless life of mine, I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness.

Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.

Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.

Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you— for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

“Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things—   while I was still searching  but not finding—I found one upright man among a thousand,  but not one upright woman among them all.

This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

Qoheketh observes another of life's anomalies: there are good people who die young, and wicked people who grow old in their wickedness.

Everything is brought to the test of wisdom, but life will not add up. God is not to blame: there is nothing wrong with how God made us. Our troubles are all of our own makings.

Why?

The one righteous man is Jesus Christ only.

So many things we don't know why but I believed that the Lord knows and he makes everything good for even the evildoers can make God's plan successful.

We should do everything in righteousness but do not make extremes. For there is no one on earth who is righteous. All of the men have sinned in their hearts.

God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes, for people are looking for their flesh satisfaction.

--------------

前面說：智慧勝過產業

作者想要用智慧來解決生活問題，但是人已經被罪惡所捆綁。問題變複雜

義與惡都被人利用了。行義過份也不好，即加添許多義行，自逞智慧，要做給人看，想要掩飾自己的惡，這不是真正的義，如正義魔人，利用義行來犯罪，傲慢的罪。行惡過份是指對自己和別人作惡都覺得沒有關係。做錯事找理由，用巧計，為惡行合理化。例如說這是歷史的共業，男人共同的錯。

人真正的問題是世上沒有義人。人最常在說話中犯罪。不要在意別人說什麼? 因為我們常常也是如此在說別人。男人中義人只有一個，是指人數非常少的比喻。

--------------

How?

Doing everything do not hush to say and to do but avoid all extremes.

The advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it

 Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

It is wise to take account of death as well as life. A serious outlook on life is best. Know how to enjoy good times and learn from bad ones.

Why?

Hold on now, enjoy when time is good, when time is bad, it is God who made these two, therefore no one can discover anything about the future. Don't worry about the future, but be wise and obey the word of the Lord.

Anger could not solve the problem. Be patient, it is better than pride.

People like to enjoy the beginning, but more important is how about the result.

1.試練的教導

名譽勝於膏油，名代表內在的本質。不會隨著環境改變。膏油代表芬芳。我們看事要看本質。苦難的本質是好的。膚淺的人只會用感覺去評論。看事情本質是否對人有幫助。我們追求是本質還是感覺

2.智慧(試練)的4個危機： 妥協、賄賂。只看眼前的事好不好，感覺如何?來評斷，批評，怨恨，就是一種驕傲的心態。不願耐心等候神的時間。

3.智慧勝於產業：要有智慧來判斷。智慧護庇人，好像銀錢護庇人一樣惟。獨智慧保護人的生命。惟： 但是。大自然的反撲，人不能改變。人一直想改變一些事情，其實未來的事我們也無法掌握，人是有限的。

讓我們在喜樂中，苦難中都會感恩。

How?

Be a wise man before the Lord, better than pride and fool man.

To accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God

Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:12

This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied. What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?

For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

Enjoyment is the antidote to gloom about the passing of the years.

What value is long life, without the chance to enjoy all we have worked for? Better be still-born or miscarried. The person ruled by appetite and desire will never be satisfied.

Why?

Long life is meaningless if they could not enjoy their toilsome labor.

Our life should not only be for our mouth, yet our appetite is never satisfied. If we are really smart knowing the Lord, change our eyes from the world to God's grace.

How?

Under limited life enjoy what the grace God has given to us.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God

Ecclesiastes 5:1-17

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin.

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. 

This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?

Sound advice is given about promises made to God and attitudes to money. Another of life's evils is the business crash. The way to live is to enjoy work and to enjoy prosperity if it comes, for these are God's gifts.

Why?

Be aware of what are we say and do not make vows before God and men. It is a speech of a fool.

Be aware of me when enter to worship the Lord, Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. For the Lord is Holy God.

People like money and like to be rich men, but all of these could not take away after he is passed away. So enjoy in the work and sweet sleep is better than any others.

The Lord is in charge of everything even there is injustice in the world. Finally will be questioned by the Lord.

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1-7  思想神是我們最好的朋友，勝過家人、親友。如何親近神?1) 從聖殿的角度 a)聽： 留心聽  ，少問，少求。以神為主 b)獻祭： 人為主做了什麼。以人為主

禱告：不要急燥的說。從許願的角度來看：許願是事先的感恩，人在心急的時候常常胡亂開支票。

君王和我們百姓一樣也要吃地所供應的，所以不要想當審判者，不要以為有權力，能做的不明白的和別人一樣。

錢財不是目的，只是過程，手段而已。

富足人的錢，卻常常不能換得好的睡眠。錢財多不見得比較好。

積蓄錢財最後也是用不到，也帶不走。為了錢，多有壓力如在黑暗中生活，有煩惱，又多病，這豈是錢財的好處嗎？

神不是不給人多一點，而是神給我們已經夠豐富了，再多就溢出來了。反而倒掉，造成禍害。

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How?

Be humble and fear the Lord, so what I can do and do not speak too many.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor

Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.

I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

We wear ourselves out with work, trying to outdo one another, never stopping to ask what it's all for.

From this point in the book, the thoughts and observations are more frequently interspersed with advice and teaching, in the proverbial manner adopted by the 'wise'. Wisdom any look foolish in the world's eyes but 'Qoheleth(Ecclesiastes)' clearly still believes in it and intends us to live by it.

Why?

Better is peace and joy than toil and quarrel, so better is the one who with the Lord, instead of chasing in the world.

Two are better than one, for we are family, we may take care of each other. Life is better with joy and may help each other.

Next-generation with the smart ideas have many people follow him, but when later he is getting old, all of these are disappeared. So this is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 

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錢財能力不能勝過人與人的關係。

錢財不能不代替家人

同伴的重要性

權利地位不能勝過人與人的關係。

關係常常先於是非。神不是不管是非，但是神寧可放下身段，贏得關係，再來要求人明辨是非。如果我們與神沒有正常關係，不會知道是非。如果沒有關係，得理要饒人。與人有正常關係才有機會講道理。沒有關係，有錢財權利又有何用?有神的好的關係是我們要努力的。

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How?

Knowing the Lord is the wisdom to live in this world. All will be passed away, only the work of the Lord may remain in heaven.

Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals

Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3

And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.

“God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.”

Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

So we learn to stand in awe of God. There is injustice and corruption in life, but God has set a time for just judgment, although we must all die.

There is so much oppression in life that we would be better dead; better still never to have been born.

Why?

The life of human beings has so much wickedness and injustice. Everywhere are full of injustice and wickedness. Only in God, there is justice and righteousness.

People's life is like animals, who knows if the human spirit rises upward and the animal goes down into the earth? 

If we don't know the Lord, our life is really like the animal, eat and sleep and die, everyone has the same life cycle.

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一個觀察：在審判之處有奸惡，在公義之處也有奸惡。公義最後得彰顯的地方還是沒有公義。

神掌權，只是審判的時間還沒有到。

思考的： 神要試驗他們，使他們覺得自己不過像獸一樣。為什麼允許罪惡存在。要試驗人如動物一樣。神要我們知道人都會死！無人知道最後的審判結果是如何?那時才是真正公義審判的時候。不要從暫時的狀態來看事情。

22節的結論：我見人莫強如在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分。人當在自己的事情上盡本份。

如果我們沒有受苦是如此想，但是如果我們是受害者，有誰安慰他們呢? 若是如此不如早點死去，甚至不要出生。人都是想逃避苦難，然而神的法則不是如此，為什麼我們不去尋求神的安慰呢?誰來安慰他們呢? 安慰有時，不安慰也有時。我們很難容易從自己的角度看事情，忘記神在掌權。我們看到人受欺壓，不能以以後有審判來告訴人，而是我們可以去安慰人。耶穌受難前也希望有人可以體貼他的心意，僅有馬利亞為耶穌打破香膏。

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How?

Don't think we are better than animals if we don't know the Lord we are the same as animals.

There is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

And now we have a new perspective: 'under heaven'. And we see that there is a proper time for everything in life. God has made it so. We understand time, but we cannot comprehend the whole of Go's work. So we learn to stand in awe of God.

Why?

Everything is happening, again and again, no one could say he is better than before.

There is a time for everything, all of the men, animals, trees, every life will change for the time. No one can escape from the control of time.

The blessing of the Lord is we can be happy and do good while they live. That each of us may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all our toil. 

Don't lay down too much burden to us, but do our best for the Lord gives everyone different times and opportunities. 

God has set eternity in the human heart, so we should search the eternity which is located in the Lord.

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萬物都有定時，人努力還有用嗎？時間已經安排好了，人在也時間裏面。從日光之下的思考，的確如此。

神要使人勞碌，人也按照這個法則，也成為美好。這個時間似乎是限制，反而因為這個約束，使人可以享受一切的途徑。只有神喜悅的人可以享受這個成果。不是人什麼都不做，而是按著這個規律可以達到。如果不在這個規律中，就是徒然。如搭車要查明時刻表，至少要知道首班、末班車，否則也是白等。

人在時間裏面，都是短暫的，暫時的事物。人又有永恆的渴望。很多事想知道，想明白。也因為如此，人無法明白，更讓人知道自己有限。我們有時候並不明白，但是不表示神是錯的。

連享受勞碌得到的成果本身就是恩典。只要存一個敬畏的人，照著神的所定的規律就沒有錯，因為神所定的不會錯。

已過的事再發生，表示神不斷給人機會，讓人重新悔改，如果沒有搭上這班車，可以再等下班。讓我們調整自己，使我們可以達成神要我們遵行的道路，法則。

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How?

How little of human life, but if we know Jesus, our life may change to eternity.