Ecclesiastes: cynical, jaded lifestyle, from too much of everything.

Why bother – nothing brings satisfaction

By mmayer

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 12-14; 2:18-23

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

²“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! ¹⁴I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

¹⁸I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. ¹⁹And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. ²⁰So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. ²¹For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. ²²What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? ²³All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.

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I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:14

It’s fascinating that this book is part of our sacred scripture. It’s the bored dissatisfaction of a rich, successful king who has a surfeit of everything (including available women). He concludes that we are still to fear and respect God and just get on with our lives. I know there are moments when this scripture really works for people and speaks to them where they are.

I am also utterly convinced that life is much deeper and much better than this. When someone shares bits of their life with us, we listen with care and love. If they keep telling it over and over and we are getting bored because we sense they are stuck in an unhelpful place, it might be time to ask ourselves, “What is missing? What is out of balance?” How you might raise that is a whole different topic, but here is what I sense is missing from this rich king’s life.

No personal misfortune or deep personal failure, so no compassion and understanding of those for whom life is hard. He’s had everything given to him on a plate. It’s when something goes wrong that we are often pushed into a deeper reliance on God. Then we also discover that there are many others in that situation, and we discover common ground in our vulnerabilities and need for help and support.
No love, joy, peace, beauty, connection. The blessings of family and friends, people who love us for who we are and not what they can get out of us, and enjoying simple beauties are immense blessings that make our lives far richer. Use your money and possessions for those things that build connections and love.
God is distant and impersonal. I sense that the message that God is real and personal in Jesus is one that we have taken to heart. I hear that many people have a prayer life that is conversational and honest. I know the message of the gospel – that we are freely forgiven for Christ’s sake – is deeply valued.
We are created in God’s image, and we are one-offs. We are here to be ourselves in a good and unique way. Serving, connecting, being loving and kind, contributing as we are able – these are vital things that make us richer and bring great blessing to others.

So, how do I handle jaded cynics? Show love, tease them, don’t accept their limited life-view, and invite them to do some fun things with you and others.