"For there is no remembrance to the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise? as the fool." (Ecclesiastes 2:16 KJV)
"Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness?" (PSALM 88:11-12 NLT)
There are several ways to consider what Solomon might be thinking; most of which will not truly make any sense without taking into consideration that there is a contrast between what is done here, for here, and what is done towards the Kingdom of God. Jesus clearly said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) Some might think it is the opposite, as to say, 'Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also,' but it doesn't work out the same, because this is where you are for this moment!
If you go back to the reason, which is why Jesus says, "For," He says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20) The context is really not that hard to understand; what are you working towards? To prepare for retirement, or preparing for Heaven?
Not to judge anyone's motivation, because I believe most everyone is somewhat concerned about how they will get along down the road or taking care of their family. I do believe this topic has been talked about before. If I recall, it might have been way back when I started sharing on Isaiah 55, which was maybe ten years ago!
This is something more about priorities than about anything else: Where is your real security at? In your bank account, or in Heaven? Just about everyone who is a believer and is following Jesus, will know that nothing in this life is certain, absolutely nothing! So you have paid off your house and now you can rest assured that you have a place to live and die? It could burn down! Your taxes could go up, and your insurance could be canceled; whatever the case might be, nothing is secure in this life, here on earth!
Follow your heart, is what you have been told, pretty much all of your life; where is that your heart will take you, if you cannot control it or it controls you? I pray that I store up treasure that will not be burned up or stolen; something that will somehow makeup for the things that I have failed to do! This is the point of, "And how dieth the wise? as the fool."
I remember the very first "Chick Tract" that had, called, "The Fool!" It was about a king who was dying; but before that had happened, he asked his court jester to go out and find a bigger fool than himself and present him with a golden wand. The court jester went everywhere, asking everyone, but had no such luck. Then he was called back to the palace, as the king wanted to see him before he died.
When the jester arrived, the king told him that he was going on a long journey, from which he would not return. So the jester asked him, "Have you prepared for that journey, your Highness?" And the king answered, "No...I haven't!" So the jester handed him the golden wand...
"My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whosoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins." (James 5:19-20 NLT)
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