I invite you to open a Bible to Ecclesiastes and to read the eleventh chapter on your own, taking a moment to reflect on the text in silence.

Embracing Solomon’s view of all things under the sun as hevel gives one a new motivation to be generous. Physical wealth cannot be taken to heaven, and it is impossible to predict one’s future, so it is best to share each windfall as they come. In the face of an uncertain future under the sun, it is tempting to hoard as many resources as possible in an effort to hedge one’s bets. Doing so reveals that one knows that all under the sun is temporary and shifting, but not that it is all in God’s hands. Again, it is crucial to see the entire pattern at once without forgetting that God is beyond the sun with the answers to each question posed in the book of Ecclesiastes. Blessings and hard times both come and go, so abundance should be shared without measure.

Verse seven may stand out to the reader because at first glance, it does not quite fit with the theme of this chapter. Rather than speculate on its placement, let us examine its relation to the message of the entire book. The distinction between things above and below the sun is fundamental to the book, but why does the sun serve as the boundary? It is already tied to the separation between night and day, but the sun is also giver of light and warmth. It can be seen as the highest, most important thing besides God in our lives, so it represents the pinnacle of creation in Ecclesiastes. Everything that is created by God is under the sun, and even the sun itself is created. Only God is above it. The observation of the sun is then good on two levels. First, it is nice to sit in the sunshine on a summer afternoon. Second, it is comforting to us to see that the sun itself is not the highest thing and that there is a separation between creation and creator. This separation allows us to trust that even though our lives are chaotic and painful, everything we experience is subject to God’s ultimate, loving will.

The last section of this chapter is a serious exhortation towards lightheartedness. Being young is a fleeting experience with dangers and passions, but it is to be enjoyed for what it is. Although being young does not give someone exceptions from God’s judgement, a little foolishness is understandable. It is bad to remain young and naïve, but it offers joyous experiences that cannot be replicated later in life. This section, I hope, is read by all the overly serious students burdened by an excess of pressure from themselves and those around them. It is sometimes alright to take an afternoon to be with friends, even when there is work to be done.

What blessings have you recently been afforded, and how can you share them knowing that they will not last forever? When was the last time you took thirty minutes to watch the sunrise? This week, rejoice in your youth, for we all are children of God.