Letters From Grandpa #116

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 116

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with some inspired words from the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon, the world’s wisest man, said: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it will all thy might, for there is no work, no device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV)

Solomon confines his advice to four areas: (1) Work. (2) Device. (3) Knowledge. (4) Wisdom. He then states the obvious. When they put you in your grave it is too late to do anything. That’s why Solomon said to do it now.

The Hebrew word for “work” is “mah-as-eh.” It refers to an action, transaction, or activity. A great many people come down to the close of their lives muttering “if only.” They had intended to do get involved in some work for God, but never got around to it. Some people need to be reminded to take a day of rest. Most people need to be reminded that they are to work the other 6 days. Idle hands are the devil’s worship. So get to work! Especially be aware that whatever you do, do it with all your might. You are also to do every good thing in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ given thanks to God the Father through Him (Col. 3:17). So, if the Holy Spirit prompts you to do something good, “do it!”.

The Hebrew word for “device” is “khesh-bone.” It comes from a root which means “to weave.” By implication, therefore, it refers to thoughts that God weaves together in your mind. There are at least a half dozen ways the word is used in Scripture, and one of these involves “inventions.” The late Richard Diggs was a good friend of our family. His son David and Uncle Steve were especially close. In 1975 Richard was honoured by a group of international experts as the “Inventor of the Year” and also credited with “The Invention of the Year” (Liquid Electricity). Richard was a devout believer and was quick to give God credit for his creative genius. So if God gives you an idea to invent something, or a dream to do something for God - “Do it!” I did a video interview with Richard in the Venture in Faith series.

The Hebrew word for “knowledge” is “dah-ath.” It is found 93 times in the Old Testament Scriptures, primarily in the “wisdom books.” (Proverbs 41, Job 10, Ecclesiastes 9) Its primary reference is to knowledge that is of an experimental nature. Often we never know if something will work until we try it. Sometimes failure itself can be a key to future success. Columbus failed to find India, but most agree that finding America was far better. Consequently, if you have something you have always dreamed of trying for Christ - “Do it!”

The Hebrew word for “wisdom” is “khok-maw.” It refers to a skilful manner of thinking regarding the experiences of life. There is an old joke about the man who believed he could fly like a bird. Believing this, he got a ladder, climbed up on top of his barn, and was ready to make his faith become reality. Fortunately, he looked down and saw a bird take off from the ground. Suddenly God gave him wisdom. The bird didn’t need a ladder or a high place from which to launch his flight. Some things which are done impulsively we live to regret, but we never regret obeying the commands of Christ. We do not always understand why God commands us to do certain things, but we will always be glad when we obey, especially on Judgment Day. If today, obeying some command of Scripture weighs heavily on your heart, “do it!”

Even Jesus could not do everything, but He did so something! Note, for example, that when all men were seeking for Him, He left them behind and went on to preach in other towns (Mk. 1:35 - 38). Jesus was on a divine mission. He did what God wanted and never allowed men to dictate His course of action. As we have already said, even though Jesus did not do everything, He did do something. In this regard he left us an example that we should follow in His steps. Whatsoever His hand found to do, He did it with all His might!

Someone has observed that rich people have choices. Because we Americans are among the richest people in the world, we have choices. We can choose what to eat, what to wear, and where to go. Poor people do not have such choices. They are often trapped in poverty that they have nothing to eat, only one set of rags to wear, and no resources to travel. The Scriptures teach that though Jesus was rich, for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9.) As a babe in the manger, Jesus had no choices. Since we do have choices. However, Solomon encourages us to abandon the “paralysis by analysis” and do something. We can cogitate, speculate, meditate, and procrastinate and die without doing much of anything. The Scriptures, however, call us to a different course of action. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, no device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.”

Obviously Solomon is not suggesting that you do something stupid, sinful, or ungodly for he concluded that the whole purpose of man was to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). You cannot go wrong, however, when you listen carefully to Christ and follow His leading in your life. As Paul wrote to the Romans, now it is high time to awaken from slumber, for our salvation is nearer than when we first believed (Rom. 13:11). IF YOU HAVE BEEN PLANNING TO DO SOMETHING FOR CHRIST DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT. WHEN YOU DIE IT WILL BE TOO LATE!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce