Ecclesiastes should be mandatory reading to all high school seniors. This book truly teaches what life is all about and how to have the right perspective on life. It helps us to realize that man cannot live by bread alone (materialism, money).
(Mat 4:4 KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
It is not possible to get the full perspective of this book until you have an understanding about the author and what his life was like. It was written by Solomon, the preacher.
To find out more about Solomon's life you must read I Kings Chapter 1 - 14 and II Chronicles Chapter 1 - 12.
In this complex, fast-paced, self-centered, humanistic, and materialistic society in which we live, this book is more relevant now than ever. The book of Ecclesiastes is King Solomon's repentance. He is trying to warn those who are selfish, conceited, snobbish, holier-than-thou, the elites, the intellectual, the high-ranking business man, and the boss that uses his power in an unfair manner. The message is that some day they will find themselves empty and vexed in their hearts.
Solomon is admonishing his readers not to follow in his footsteps and to set better priorities in life and make sure that they have proper motives for everything they do in life. In the last chapter where he is expressing his remorse for his vain lifestyle, he explains the true meaning of life.
Ecclesiastes can help the following types of people: (1) those who are not satisfied with their place in life and are always competing with others (keeping up with the Jones), (2) those who feel like life is not worth living, (3) those who can never be satisfied and thankful for what they have in life - they always want more than they have, (4) those who are always having a pity party for themselves, (5) those who think that no one understands their problems, (6) those who are arrogant and prideful, (7) those who do not have any purpose in life and don't have a reason for living, and (8) for the local church and family so that they can build a foundation for the youth in helping them to have a meaningful life and know what their priorities should be in life.
What the reader needs to put into perspective is that Solomon was not only the richest and wisest man to ever live, but that he indulged and immersed himself into everything he did. He left no stoned unturned; yet it left him empty and depressed. He owned it all; he did it all; yet, he was still one of the most miserable men to ever live until he repented.
