Sermon Bible Commentary
Ecclesiastes 2:11
The general practice of men of business, their custom of year by year taking stock, examining their books, and striking a balance to know how they stand, is a lesson of the highest value. Our everlasting salvation may turn on it. People go on dreaming that all is right when all is wrong, nor wake to the dreadful truth till they open their eyes in torment. If men take such care of their earthly fortunes, how much greater our need to see how we stand with God, and do with our spiritual what all wise merchants do with their earthly interests: review the transactions of every year.
I. In this review we should inquire what we have done for God. We have had many, daily, innumerable opportunities of serving Him, speaking for Him, working for Him, not sparing ourselves for Him who spared not His own Son for us. Yet how little have we attempted; and how much less have we done in the spirit of our Saviour's words, "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" It is impossible even now to review our lives without feeling that there is no hope for us out of Christ, and that the best and the busiest have been unprofitable servants.
II. In this review we should inquire what we have done for ourselves. If "the harvest is past, and the summer ended, and we are not saved," what other verdict than "Vanity!" can conscience and truth pronounce on the years that are gone? Years are lost, but the soul is not yet lost. There is still time to be saved. Make for the city of refuge. Believe in Christ, for whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but hath everlasting life.
III. In this review we should inquire what we have done for others. Suppose that our blessed Lord, sitting down on Olivet to review the years of His busy life, had looked on all the works which His hands had wrought, what a crowd, a long procession, of miracles and mercies had passed before Him! Trying our piety by this test, what testimony does our past life bear to its character? Happy those who, at however great a distance, and in however imperfect a manner, have attempted to follow Christ!
In conclusion: (1) This review, God's Spirit blessing it, should awaken careless sinners. (2) This review should stir up God's people.
T. Guthrie, The Way to Life,p. 61.
References: Ecclesiastes 2:11. J. Bennet, The Wisdom of the King,p. 38. Ecclesiastes 2:12. Ibid; p.85.Ecclesiastes 2:12. T. C. Finlayson, A Practical Exposition of Ecclesiastes,p. 49. Ecclesiastes 2:12. J. J. S. Perowne, Expositor,1st series, vol. xii., p. 70; G. G. Bradley, Lectures on Ecclesiastes,p. 52; R. Buchanan, Ecclesiastes: its Meaning and Lessons,p. 65; J. H. Cooke, The Preacher's Pilgrimage,p. 22.