John 3:16 –For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
ALL ARE SINNERS –
Romans 3:10, 23
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
SIN HAS A PRICE –
Romans 6:23
TWO DEATHS – PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL –
Revelation 20: 14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
JESUS ONLY DIED FOR SINNERS –
Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him
ONE CAN NOT EARN HEAVEN –
Ephesians 2:8,9 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
ONE MUST BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR THEIR SINS TO BE SAVED –
Romans 10:9-10 – 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN HIM –
Romans 10:13
INVITE CHRIST TO LIVE IN YOUR –
I John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
A Prayer Of Faith –
Dear Heavenly Father, I truly believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead for my sin. I confess that I am a sinner deserving of hell and I realize I can not save myself. I from this very moment on confess Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for making it possible for me to be part of your family through Christ. Father, lead me through your Word to what you have me to do with my life. Help me turn from my sin and surrender everything I have to Jesus. I pray in Christ name, Amen.
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
I. The common story – giving all you have!
A. She gave despite her great poverty. B. Her giving acknowledged that all she had belonged to God. C. There is no indication here or in Mark’s account that she had any reservations about giving it all. D. All that you have belongs to God, what you keep is still His. E. This passage is often used to encourage giving
II Corinthians 9:7-10
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;).
II. The story behind the story
Luke 19:39-47
Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation
A. False piety of the false spiritual leaders. B. Put a false religion on display for all to see. C. Pride ruled in their hearts.
D. Neglected ministry to those in need. Rather than minister to her, they looked down at her.
James 2:1-20
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
E. The widow became a prey for their wealth.
Matthew 23:1-15
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
God is always faithful
His compassions never end
He reminds us daily of His goodness
He is still our hope in 2020 and we can still count on Him daily
We need to learn to be quiet in His presence
Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
God NEVER takes time off – He is always working in our lives
All the powers of this world can not match the power of My God
We must learn to wait in His presence
A. We will soar to new heights B. We will run the race set before us
II Timothy 4:7-8 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Philippians 3:13-14 -13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
C. We will never grow weary of serving Our Great God if we allow Him to be our strength
Isaiah 43: 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Joshua 1:7-9 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
God is with us even in the midst of life’s strongest battles
Our strength will come from being immersed in His Holy Word
God is with us where ever we God A. He was in the furnace B. He was in the lion’s den C. He was in the red sea D. He was in the prison with Paul and Silas E. He was with the disciples in the strom F. He is with us all the time regardless our circumstances.
I Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
A. We could still hear a trumpet in 2020 B. We will soon be over with the trials of this life’ C. We will soon be changed into His likeness D. We will soon overcome death E. We will be
Steadfast
Unmovable
Unstoppable F. We will
Complete the task given to us
Abound (be greatly fruitful) in our work for Him
We will be rewarded soon for our faithfulness
Our labor is NOT IN VAIN
John 6:9-12 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
A. It does not take much for God to do great things B. God is going to use us to do great things in a big world in a supernatural way C. Little is much when God is in it.
In the harvest field now ripened There’s a work for all to do Hark! the Master’s voice is calling To the harvest calling you Does the place you’re called to labor Seem so small and little known? It is great if a God is in it For He’ll not forsake His own
Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame There’s a crown, and you can win it If you go in Jesus’ name
And when the conflict has ended And our race on earth is run He will say, if you’ve been faithful “Welcome home, My child—well done!”
Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame There’s a crown, and you can win it If you go in Jesus’ name
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Humble
Psalm 62:7-9 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Reverent
Psalm 18:3 – I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. –
I Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Hebrews 5:7 – Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Respected the things of God.
Psalm31:9 – Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
Psalm 29:2-4 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Trusted God
Loved God completely
Psalm 81:1 – Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Wholly devoted to God
Psalm 4:7 – Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Psalms 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Psalms 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
Psalms 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Gave God all the praise
Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.–
Faithful even in Hard times
Psalm 25:1-7 – Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Obedient
Psalm 119:34-36 – 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Luke 11:28 – But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Repentant heart
Psalm 25:10-15 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Today we begin to examine the vanity of the material things in life. We are all worried about the covid-19 and the main fear is that of dying. We will be reminded over and over in Ecclesiastes that death is a certain part of living. We are born, we live, and we die. What happens after we die is of utmost importance. Solomon’s main lesson in Ecclesiastes is prepare for death. It is coming to all. It is the one certain thing in life.
Death happens to all
The rich and the poor
The wise and the foolish
Those who work and those who do not
The famous and the unfamous
As we see in this passage, life is a balancing act. They are good times and bad times. There are joyful times and sorrowful times. There is a time of struggle and a time of peace. Next time we will talk about this balance, but for today we are going to look at the vanities of this life that we spend far too much time seeking after, so let us begin.
The vanity of pleasure –
verse 2:1- I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
A. Solomon had plenty of money B. Solomon has plenty of “fun” C. Solomon had plenty of fame
The vanity of labor
Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
The vanity of human wisdom
verse 2:15 – Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity
A. Man’s wisdom falls far short of God’s wisdom B. True wisdom is to know and do the will of God C. True wisdom only comes when we trust God and follow what He says
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The vanity of working just to leave an inheritance
verse 2:19-21- 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
A.Life should be lived to its spiritual fullness –
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
B. Leave a spiritual legacy–
2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
C. Life is short and we need to invest spiritually in the lives of people –
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
The vanity of earthly desires
3:19-21 – For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
The vanity of work ahead of family
4:7-8 – Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Read Ephesians chapters 5 and 6 – God’s Instructions for Christian Households
A. God B. Spouse C. Children D. Profession E. Ministry to those outside our homes
The vanity of popularity
4:13-16 – 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.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.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? Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The vanity of false dreams and ideal talk –
4:13-16 – 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.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.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?
Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The vanity of false dreams and ideal talk
5:4-7 – 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.5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.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?7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
Matthew 12:36-37 – 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned
The vanity of seeking an abundance
5:9-10 – 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Luke 12:16-20 – 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
The vanity of wealth over the gift of God
6:2 – A man to whomGod 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 evildisease
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 6:19-21,33 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The vanity of foolish desires
Ecclesiastes 6:9- Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!;
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
The vanity of foolish laughter
Ecclesiastes 7:6- For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity
The vanity of injustice in this life
Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is a vanity whichis done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
Remember Job
The vanity of the days of darkness
Ecclesiastes 11:8 But if a man live manyyears, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
The vanity of youthful ambitions and desires
Ecclesiastes 11:10 Thereforeremove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
