The 4F Club

We are not talking about the Farm/Pig-raising organization. Nor are we remembering the failure to pass the muster for the draft because of poor eyesight or flat feet! It is really about the ancient question, “What will make me happy ?”

Remember that bicycle you wanted as a kid? “ If I just had a bike, Mom, I would be happy .” Christmas - and there it was! Happiness forever! But by July you could throw it on the ground or treat it with complete carelessness. Then happiness could surely be found “if I could just get ____?____.”

Solomon tried to find happiness just like we did as kids. And it is the same when we are now try ing to find it in the things we buy - house, car, vacation, a big screen T.V. etc. We forget Jesus’ statement to the quarreling brother in Luke 12:15: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon, the Preacher, tried to find happiness not only in possessions but in many other ways as well. He experienced “the pleasures of sin,” (sensual appetites) the “delights of men” (2:8); a great education (wisdom) (2:12) and pride in others acknowledging this wisdom; even his work, toil, and labor (what we call “ our job or career”)
did not bring happiness. “All is meaningless a chasing after the wind.” (2:17 ) We may try hedonism, greed, fame, career, and possessions but in none of these will we find happiness.

After Solomon surveyed life from these many vantage points, he concluded happiness could be found in four experiences of life that are common to all, whether living in Solomon’s day or the 21st century.

* FAITH in God is the beginning and end of our happiness. (2:13-14)
* FAMILY relationships assure us of companionship, that we are not alone. (9:8)
* FRIENDS similarly provide a “ safety net” and a cause greater than ourselves.(4:9) “Love your neighbor as y ourself.”
* FOOD is important, not just for health and strength, but when we sit down together as friends or family, it is the conviviality, the conversations, the sharing our hearts and minds that bind us together. (Mike, we like the small group meals-not for the food but for how the sharing binds us together even more closely.)

These are the four “F”’s of the 4F club – FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOD. In these “God keeps us occupied with gladness of heart.” (Ecclesiastes 5:20)
—Hugh Price