The podcast explores the existential questions of meaning and achievement through the lens of Ecclesiastes. It highlights how the quest for success can lead to dissatisfaction and isolation. The discussion emphasizes the futility of a work-based life and the illusion of fulfillment it often brings. Listeners are invited to reflect on the balance between work and rest, discovering that true fulfillment comes from personal connections rather than mere accomplishments. Ultimately, it encourages finding meaning through relationships and spiritual insights.
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insights INSIGHT
Life's Meaning Must Be Constructed
If this life is all there is, meaning does not come from nature but must be constructed by us.
Practical secularism leads to a belief that life is accidental and without transcendent meaning.
insights INSIGHT
Meaning Attempts Fail Without God
Three ways to find meaning in life are cause, pleasure, and work, but all fall short if life is only "under the sun."
Ecclesiastes shows that living for a cause or pleasure is ultimately meaningless if there is no greater meaning beyond this life.
insights INSIGHT
Why Work Is Not Worth It
Work fails to bring worth because it does not truly satisfy, recognize, or meaningfully contribute.
Despite toil and achievement, work remains a source of pain, grief, and restless anxiety.
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In 'Every Good Endeavor,' Timothy Keller explores the biblical perspectives on work, addressing questions such as the purpose of work, finding meaning in a competitive workplace, and staying true to one's values while advancing in a career. The book is divided into three parts: God's plan for work, our problems with work, and the Gospel and work. Keller emphasizes that work is a gift from God and should be approached with excellence, integrity, discipline, creativity, and passion as acts of worship. He also highlights the importance of understanding work through a Christian worldview, which can provide a foundation for a thriving professional and balanced personal life.
Working
people talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do
Studs Terkel
In 'Working,' Studs Terkel conducts in-depth interviews with people from diverse occupations, ranging from gravediggers to studio heads. The book provides a snapshot of American working life in the early 1970s, highlighting the emotional and physical aspects of work. It explores themes of job satisfaction, the search for meaning, and the impact of work on individuals' lives. The interviews are edited to preserve the voices and stories of the subjects, offering a powerful and original perspective on work and its significance in human experience.
In Ecclesiastes, the author takes the position of a practical secularist. And he asks, “If this life is all there is, then is life meaningless?”
The writer says if this life is all there is, if there’s no God and no meaning that you have to submit to, then you’re free to construct your own meaning. And so, he sets out to build meaning by living a cause-based life, and then by living a pleasure and beauty-based life. When he finds those both to be meaningless and burdensome, he decides to create a work-based life, to let work and career be an organizing principle in his life.
In doing this, he finds three things: 1) that a life of work is not worth it, 2) why it’s not worth it, and 3) what is worth it.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on March 23, 2003. Series: When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26.
Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.
Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life 
