【Sharing Recording, November 30, 2018】

Introduction

Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 speaks of finding joy in labour, which is our portion from God. Sometimes, in the course of living, people forget the purpose of their existence.

From a young age, I pondered the question: What is the purpose of life? This question troubled me until I believed in the Lord and knew God. I then understood that life is about labouring and finding joy in this world. This answer is crucial. Do you ask if I am living well? I believe I am. Are there times of struggle? Yes. During these times, I reflect: Why am I here? What is my portion from God? How could I forget this in the course of living? I am here to find joy! By the time I emerge from my struggles and regain joy, two or three days have passed, time wasted. Many people spend two or three months, two or three years, two or thirty years, even entering their coffin without understanding this.

We must understand what we are to do in this world. Constant toiling, daily struggles and frustrations, aimlessness—these arise from not understanding this fundamental question. Open your eyes and listen carefully; what I aim to convey is not difficult to grasp, requiring no profound education. We arrive in this world with great difficulty, only to busy ourselves with work and earning money, then depart. Is this truly the meaning of life?

The most important thing in life is joy. When people struggle, they have valid reasons, but struggling only leads to the grave. If there truly are spirits in heaven, watching these endless struggles, they must wonder at the foolishness of humanity: is life merely about struggling? Some people live with clarity, finding joy in all circumstances, for they came to find joy. Never lose the joy of living, or your faith is in vain. We come before God's altar to come to the God who gives me joy.

Observing How Spiritual Giants Lived in the Bible

Reading the Bible reveals many unique characters. Take Abraham, for instance. He was living comfortably until God called him to move elsewhere. Abraham arose and left, unafraid of hardship. Even when famine struck in Canaan, it did not rob him of his inner joy.

Consider Jacob, whose life was also filled with struggles. He lived a hard life, with four wives constantly vying for attention, yet he did not lose his inner joy. Whether you like it or not, life will be hard, but joy and sorrow are choices you can make.

Then there was Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt, yet he remained a joyful person. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—four generations finding joy in labour, which is our portion from God. If one can find joy in all circumstances, that is truly remarkable. If one struggles, feels frustrated and sad, even in the absence of hardship, it is simply foolish. The most important thing in life is:

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can show them what will happen after them? 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. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)

The reason people lack joy is because the devil has stolen the gift of joy. We come into this world with great difficulty; if our decades of life are filled with toil, sorrow, struggles, and frustrations, what is the point? Learn to see through these things and reclaim the joy of living from the devil's grasp.

A mother brought her child, suffering from seizures, to Jesus, seeking healing. Jesus said He came for the Israelites, not the Canaanites; for God's children, not dogs. In such a situation, if Jesus called you a dog, you might forget why you came to Jesus and argue about whether you are a dog. But the Canaanite woman, instead of arguing, replied that even dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table. As a result, her faith healed her child. Similarly, never forget why you came into this world: to find joy in labour, which is your portion from God.

Draw Near to Hear God's Word

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. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2)

Drawing near to hear God's word is crucial. Do not rush to express your own views; your own views are not as important as God's. If we grasp God's perspective, we can set aside our own. Do not be foolish; fools love to offer sacrifices. In our faith journey, many people like to seek intercessory prayer. Although I can pray for you, is it effective? Many people demand prayer without regard for its efficacy. A sister constantly asked me to pray for her, and I did not know how to explain this to her, which reminded me of a passage in the Bible:

He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. (Isaiah 66:3)

Prayer is a sacrifice. These people are sacrificers, yet in God's eyes, they are like murderers, like those who break a dog's neck, like those who offer swine's blood, like those who praise idols. In fact, prayer is far less important than heeding God's word. If you heed God's word, you will emerge from foolishness. Many people are superstitious about intercessory prayer, turning it into something mystical, believing that the more people who pray, the more powerful it is. But in the Bible, we do not see Jesus seeking thousands of intercessory warriors; Jesus did not need that.

I also heard that a pastor stated during his sermon that he was able to preach with power because behind him, hundreds were praying for him. The Bible does contain similar accounts, many people prayed for Paul. But in this era, intercessory prayer has become very popular. Many people seek my prayer without regard for its effect.

Carefully examine the Bible: what are we to do when we draw near to the house of God? Not to eat and drink, but to hear God's word. To keep and obey, you must heed God's word. If you understand God's word, understanding the purpose of life and seeing through many worldly matters, can you not find joy? Therefore, remember that finding joy in labour is our portion from God.

Some people rush to express their own views. When I intend to offer edifying words, they immediately rebut or argue, leaving one speechless. Continuing in this manner is like breaking a dog's neck. Why does God detest these sacrificers? Because of their foolishness; their hearts are not filled with God's word. Why do they sacrifice? Because they seek something for themselves. Are these things truly important? Actually, the joy that God gives is the most important.

The wealthy are not necessarily joyful, and the joyful are not necessarily wealthy. People always seek to grasp something, believing that money will bring joy, but money has little to do with joy. If we forget that finding joy in labour is our portion from God, we will desperately grasp what we desire. After reading God's word, do you still insist on your own views? If you choose to walk your own path, not according to God's word, can it end well?

Guard Your Heart Above All Else

In my childhood memories, an actor played the role of Huang Shiren so well that he was afraid to go out after the performance. Upon recognising him, people would want to beat him, as everyone felt that Huang Shiren in The White-Haired Girl was extremely evil. In fact, what we see is not always what we think it is. Huang Shiren was portrayed as utterly evil, while Yang Bailao was seen as a good man, but there is a reason why someone lives a miserable life like Yang Bailao.

Many complain that due to different starting points, everyone's ending is different. Some have researched that if all the wealth in the world was equally distributed, like restarting a computer, everyone would have the same starting point. However, after ten years, the rich become richer, and the poor become poorer. Why? Because what fills a person's mind determines their fate.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We must choose to be wise, and a wise person knows what they do not know. We must be clear that we are on earth, God is in heaven. We live in a fog, unable to see clearly, but God in heaven sees everything clearly. A person's altitude determines their perspective. On earth, it is not easy to see clearly; as the poem says: We cannot see the true face of Mount Lu, because we are in the mountain itself. The inability to see the truth is because it is difficult to understand while living in this world. But if you stand on God's throne and look at eternity, you will understand everything at once. Standing at a high place, you will reflect on what you have done in your life, and you will know to find joy in labour, which is your portion from God.

Recently, I read an article about university entrance exams in the 1970s. A 13-year-old was admitted to the juvenile class of the University of Science and Technology of China. At that time, we were very envious, feeling that this child was extraordinary, able to enter university at the age of 13. The first batch of students admitted to the juvenile class were between 11 and 14 years old. A total of 11 people were admitted, causing a sensation in society. However, a survey conducted forty years later found that these prodigies, despite their high starting points, did not achieve outstanding accomplishments later in life.

A good starting point does not guarantee a good life. The students in this juvenile class did not have good outcomes and did not achieve the extraordinary accomplishments that people expected. These young people were tricked by fate. If a person does not have God's word in their heart, what does a high starting point matter? Brothers and sisters, do not be foolish; begin to elevate your perspective, to see things from an eternal viewpoint. These worldly matters are insignificant.

Some time ago, a brother was very anxious because he owed money to others. I told him to repay if he could, and if not, to leave it owing. When we consider owing money as very important, we begin to worry. From a human perspective, worrying is reasonable. But from my perspective, why worry? You owe others money, others do not owe you money. There is no need to view these debts as so important. We came into this world with nothing, and when you die, you will also have nothing. What is the point of grasping these things?

When something robs you of your joy, it becomes a curse; why do that? Learn to find joy in labor, doing what you should do. If you really cannot repay the money, what can you do? Some may say that it is immoral to not repay debts, but when viewed from God's throne, looking at this vast world, with its five thousand years of history, coming and going in haste, you will find that nothing is insurmountable. We have done many things and said many words, but often we have not done them correctly. Finding joy in labor is my portion from God; live happily. Many things come and go in a hurry, but they cannot rob the portion that God has given us, which is to find joy in labor.

I often lead prayers and Bible studies, and sometimes I forget what to say and begin to worry. Later, I think: what am I worried about? God is in heaven, controlling everything. I try hard to find joy. Reflecting on my establishment of the church, I regret putting so much pressure on the brothers and sisters. If people enjoy chatting, let them chat. Why reprimand them? I do not want to rob people of their joy in this world. I live to bring joy to others, to let them do joyful things. If I ever reprimand people for chatting again, please remind me to listen to this Bible study.

Heed God's Word, Do Not Be Stubborn

As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. (Ecclesiastes 5:3)

We must often heed God's word, not be stubborn. Whatever God says, we must strive to do. Many times, we insist on our own views, forgetting that joy is the most crucial. God, if you give me this, I will do such and such. Many people believe that making a vow is to achieve what they want, and then they will give God something in return. This is the mentality of idol worship. God does not need people to give anything to Him.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. (Ecclesiastes 5:4)

Some people forget their vows after making them, but God does not forget. What you have said and done is recorded in the spiritual realm! Like Esau wanting a bowl of lentil stew, Jacob said, Give me your birthright, and I will give you lentil stew. What you have said and vowed is acknowledged in the spiritual realm. Many foolish people want this and that, and God, with His mercy, will give it to you. But what the person who made the vow has said cannot be retracted, or joy will be lost.

Fear God, Do Not Live in Illusion

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless; therefore fear God. (Ecclesiastes 5:7)

Fear God. Much dreaming and many words, whether true or false, are illusory. The devil knows what you want, and God knows it too. You may easily bite the bait thrown by Satan because you care about certain people or things. But the things you care about do not greatly help your joy. There are many illusory things in this world, and people often grasp at elusive matters, even at all costs. Because they want it so much, illusion arises. Not following God's word often leads to illusion. Some say: God revealed that I should do this business, but I lost money later. I felt peace when I prayed at that time! Why did God not stop me? You were so willful and greedy, how could God stop you? Therefore, do not live in illusion; begin to fear God, trembling at His word.

Thus saith the LORD, All those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)

All things in this world are made by God, appearing perfect. God created all things, and also filters in those who revere Him, and filters out those who do not. When I first started establishing the church, I spent a lot of effort and money, struggling with landlords over rent, facing a multitude of job-related issues, and even dealing with unplanned pregnancies within the church. I wondered, why all this turmoil? In that situation, I did not forget that I was to rejoice in my labour; that was my portion from God. No matter how dire the circumstances, I did not lose my joy. I experienced demotion at work—no matter, it's just a demotion! My joy is more important. When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, God will add all these things to us, and those messy problems will also be resolved. In that situation where I was besieged on all sides, I still cried out to God: God! I want to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, I am willing to put everything down to establish Your church!

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness

In those years of work experience, I was demoted several times, climbing up and then being demoted—it was very embarrassing. Yet, I still went to work and came home with joy. The more I went on, the more I understood that I should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things God will add to you; it is the best thing.

Young people entering society for the first time will inevitably encounter messy things like renting a place, finding a job, finding a partner; many young people get quite upset, tangled up, and broken down. But if you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, determined to establish a victorious and glorious church, will these things still exist? I never pray about these trivial matters, because praying is useless. I used to do a lot of useless things, so now I understand, don't live in illusion, but revere God and tremble at God's word.

Few churches examine the scriptures as we do; I am simply infatuated with the Word of God, often struggling for two days before suddenly waking up. One must never be willful or stubborn in life. If one day you see the poor oppressed, and there is a Yang Bailao and a White Haired Girl being oppressed around you, and you feel it is unfair, and you start to complain and stand up for them, in reality, do not be surprised by this. That Yang Bailao can live that way, it is also of his own making.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. We must remove the rubbish in our hearts one by one, and not be stubborn. How can a person become wise? It is to put God's word in your heart. Some will say: You have not experienced what I have experienced, how do you know my pain? But do you know what? Your little thing is nothing compared to Joseph, compared to Jesus. Joseph was sold into Egypt as a slave, and later sent to prison, did he cry and complain all day? No.

My portion in life is that God allows me to rejoice in my labor. It is good to be a slave, it doesn't matter to be sent to prison. Some people would be angry: What are you talking about? In fact, this is called the Dao. Whether you are sent to prison is not up to you, but you can choose to be joyful or not, this is up to you. Whether you get into a lawsuit is not in your control, but you can choose to remain joyful in this situation.

Know that God is in Control

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9)

Everyone must know that our God is extremely fair, and moreover, the profit of the earth is for all, and the kings of the earth are also served by the fields. All that is in the world, the righteous God is in control. Today, some unlucky things come upon you, some things of being oppressed by demons come upon you, who is to blame? Blame ourselves.

We must know why we came into this world, and never forget why we came because we see these unfair things. We are not here to champion justice; these things are all in God's control. Everyone's reception on this earth is fair, but in any situation, whether one is joyful or not is determined by oneself. There are many things that take away our joy, the most important of which is dissatisfaction.

Do not love the world

Whether it is the richest man in China or the richest man in the world, he only eats a little bit each day. If one trillion evaporates in a day, even the world's largest high-tech company will go bankrupt. This world just passes on from generation to generation, what can it add to people? It's just fleeting clouds. Wanda has so many houses, do you want to sleep in a 10,000-square-meter bedroom? Then just sleep in Tiananmen Square. As an aside, I actually like living in a very compact environment, one meter high above, with a bed below, and when I get up, I can touch the ceiling, which gives me a sense of security.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12)

Many people want to be rich when they are poor, but after they become rich, they suddenly find that they cannot sleep, because there are too many things to deal with. Managing money is a very difficult thing, and if it is not managed well, something will really happen. Whether rich or laborious, do not forget one thing: God's gift to us in this world is to rejoice in our labor. The preacher who wrote Ecclesiastes wrote this:

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:13-14)

Being rich is also an exam; if you accumulate wealth and eventually deprive yourself of joy, aren't you harming yourself? People spend their whole lives eating, drinking, and sleeping, which are very simple things. If God gives you wealth, so that you can take your portion, and manage these riches in your labor with joy, that is God's grace to you. If this is the case, may God bless you.

If disaster strikes and wealth is lost, what comes with a great wind is blown away by a great wind, then what? That is also normal. As a man came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. Therefore, we must see through these things, what profit do we have for laboring for the wind?

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. (Ecclesiastes 5:16-17)

A person who is often joyful, where do so many illnesses come from? Without so much greed, where do so many troubles come from? Contentment means that even if I am a slave today, I must thank God! A slave can also rejoice in his labor, and rejoicing in labor is God's portion for me. Yang Bailao can also be a joyful Yang Bailao. Work hard at Huang Shiren's house, don't always think about rebelling, or one day you might become a Yang Joseph. Like Joseph, rejoice in your labor, and the master will entrust you with many things to manage.

Let go of many things that can be let go of. A person comes into the world to enjoy whatever he eats and drinks throughout his life. There is a Chinese term called bourgeois, drinking coffee must be very expensive, but I drink coffee from roadside stalls, not because I can't afford the money, but because it is not necessary. There are noodles that cost eighteen yuan and some that cost nine yuan. Eating nine-yuan noodles is as delicious as eating delicacies. Enjoying the life that God has given me in my labor, being able to eat and drink throughout my life, and enjoying the benefits under the sun, this is God's portion for me.

I really don't think those big meals are anything good. Eating so greasy, eating fatty liver and high blood lipids, isn't that asking for trouble? One has to eat so expensive, some people spend 10,000 yuan on a meal, and as a result, they run into a lot of trouble.

Rejoice in all circumstances

Really need to wake up! The rest are drunk; I alone am sober, that is, to be joyful! Rejoice in all circumstances! Because it is God who makes you joyful, God's portion for you.

I rarely talk about the past, even when I tell a little bit of it, it is still quite edifying. Some time ago, a sister talked about her past grievances. She got lymphoma at seventy-something. I originally wanted to pray for her, but seven hours passed and it wasn't happening. She spent the seven hours talking about how people had wronged her in the past.

It is hard to bear after listening to the story. How can she not be sad if she talks about these things every day? I told my co-worker, that in the future, when you hear these things again, you must bluntly say to her: Sister, I am here to pray for you, to bring you joy, not to listen to your stories. Can you be joyful by talking about it over and over again? How can you not get cancer if you always remember the evils of others throughout your life?

Eating and drinking in darkness throughout life, also being angry with sickness, always talking about the rubbish of the past. If my mother tells me about the rubbish of the past, I shout stop. We must look forward to the future. Because we do not live in the past, but in the future, to be a person who creates the future with faith.

Summary

I give everyone a piece of advice: when you can't sleep late at night, say to God: God, I want to rejoice in my labor throughout my life; this is the portion you have given me. Whether there is something or nothing, don't be so stubborn. What should be there is still there, and what shouldn't be there doesn't matter if it is not there. No matter what the situation, it cannot deprive me of my joy; it is God's portion for me that I have come into this world with great difficulty.

May God bless everyone!

Verses

Ecc 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Ecc 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Ecc 5:3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

Ecc 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Ecc 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Ecc 5:6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

Ecc 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Ecc 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Ecc 5:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

Ecc 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Ecc 5:11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

Ecc 5:12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Ecc 5:13 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

Ecc 5:14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

Ecc 5:15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

Ecc 5:16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

Ecc 5:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

Ecc 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Ecc 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

Ecc 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Ecc 6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

Ecc 6:2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

Ecc 6:3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

Ecc 6:4 For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

Ecc 6:5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

Ecc 6:6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

Ecc 6:7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

Ecc 6:8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Ecc 6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecc 6:10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

Ecc 6:11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

Ecc 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Book of Ecclesiastes list