WHICH IS BETTER ECCLESIASTES 7 1 8 WHICH

WHICH IS BETTER? ECCLESIASTES 7: 1 -8

WHICH IS BETTER? 1 A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

WHICH IS BETTER? 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

WHICH IS BETTER? A good name is better than precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7: 1 a

WHICH IS BETTER? Good Name Good Perfume Reputation is earned You don't choose a restaurant by the smell “Quality goes in – before the name goes on” – Zenith TV We must build a reputation, character, and name that is honored A perfumed pig - - - is still a pig.

WHICH IS BETTER? A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; Ecclesiastes 7: 1

WHICH IS BETTER? Day of Death Day of Birth Death is when we get to be with Jesus When you are born, you are naked, hungry and in debt Death is far better Few days and full of trouble - Job

WHICH IS BETTER? 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1: 21 -23

WHICH IS BETTER? 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5: 4 -6

WHICH IS BETTER? Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7: 2

WHICH IS BETTER? Funeral Home Funeral homes are not “fun” places to be Death makes us stop and think – – Soberly See reality About death About eternity Thanksgiving Dinner Stuffed, moan and groan Watch football game and sleep What did you gain – besides a few pounds?

WHICH IS BETTER? 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7: 3 -4

WHICH IS BETTER? Sorrow Laughter Sorrow teaches us many important lessons Laughter – pretends the problems don't exist Real joy is not jokes, sit coms, movies When the laughter stops – the problems remain Sorrow teaches us to enjoy what we have

WHICH IS BETTER? 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 7: 5 -6

WHICH IS BETTER? Rebuke of wise Song of fools Wise men will rebuke because of their concern and love Song (praise) of fools only makes us think we are OK – as is Honest rebuke will make us better, stronger, more like what God wants us to be When everyone praises you – watch out!

WHICH IS BETTER? 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7: 8

WHICH IS BETTER? End Beginning We can have the pride of finishing High hopes, dreams, ideals, goals We learned a lot along the way Over time – they dwindle Do you want to go back and – live your life over again? Think – New Year's Resolutions Been there, done that

WHICH IS BETTER? 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7: 8

WHICH IS BETTER? Patient Proud Patience is a virtue Pride just puffs us up “Tribulation produces perseverance” Romans 5: 3 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2: 16 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles Isaiah 40: 31 a

WHICH IS BETTER? – – FINAL QUESTION: Are you better? Is your faith stronger? Is your attitude improved? Is your commitment greater? Is your hope more sure?