Ecclesiastes 1

“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’ What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.” Ecclesiastes 1:3-4 (NKJV)

It is important for people to believe their lives have purpose and that the energy spent working toward that purpose makes a difference in the world.  We don’t necessarily need to drastically change the world.  We can typically find happiness in knowing that our lives are making a positive impact in some aspect of it.  Or, perhaps, we simply need to know that we matter to someone and that our presence on earth brings someone joy.  That question about “what profit has a man from all his labor” was something King Solomon wrestled with.  Through Solomon’s life example in Scripture (and his own words today), we learn that it is quite possible to become extremely successful and recognized and respected by throngs of people yet feel completely empty and purposeless.  This was not just a personal journal thought of Solomon’s that we discovered under his pillow after he died.  Solomon included this message in Psalm 12, a song of Ascents.  That meant that when the Israelites were ascending to worship the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem, Solomon wanted them to deeply consider and contrast their labor in the world with their labor for the Lord.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:1-5 (NKJV)

Messiah Jesus expanded on these exact same passages to underscore the utmost importance of denying the vanity of temporary, flesh-pleasing, worldly pursuit in favor of the eternal value of temporary persecution involved in Kingdom-building.

“When he had called the people to Himself, with his disciples also, he said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when he comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38 (NKJV)

Vanity is investing in an earthly kingdom which leads to hell and hinders the next generation.  Godliness is laboring for the gospel and ensuring our kids do, as well!