The missionary task is not meant to be fulfilled in a single generation, hence it is not likely that it will happen in our generation. This simple truth triggers a number of issues related to goal, strategies, management, funding and perpetuation of one´s vision as far as global evangelization is concerned.

The book of Ecclesiastes addesses this subject  when dealing with the vanity of human work. Thus, complains the preacher, “I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me,  and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity” (Ecc 2:18-19).

What exactly is he calling vanity? The way I see it, the preacher is somewhat irritated with the unchangeable fact that all for which he toiled will eventually and inevitable pass on to someone whose foolishness will ruin what was built with wisdom. Not only that, he or she may ruin that which represents his wisdom, a testimony that he wants to be remembered for. Now, why would he call it vanity?

I am part of a new generation that stands on the shoulders of giants who fought the right and good battle, hopping to see the day when their toil would finally foster continuity and commitment to that which was already established. In addition, I am also the potential “fool” that Ecclesiastes talks about, too. As I look around, at least in my context  in Brazil, I can no longer see the same faces that once stood for much of our commitment to global evangelization. Due to a variety of reasons, they´ve passed as everything else does. When I think of it in light of what this biblical passage says, I wonder whether or not I am prepared to see the fool and the wise taking turns on God´s kingdom; I wonder about the impact that it may have on my commitment to God´s kingdom. It is precisely this preparation (or lack of it!) that I will make me see what God is doing through someone else as vanity.

Here is a simple test I´ve prepared to check my own level of vanity. I ask myself the following questions: [1]. Have the words “must leave” (Ecc 2.18) impacted the way I see my legacy? [2]. Have I used the word “hate” recently with respect to someone involved in God´s kingdom somewhere? [3]. Have I found myself trying to answer the question: “who knows whether he will be wise or a fool?” The more affirmative answer, the more vanity.

Ecclesiastes teaches us timing lessons here: 1) To leave “all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun” is not an option but an natural and necessary process. Any attempt to ignore or keep it from happening is considered vanity. 2) The “man who will come after me” is not accountable for my change of mood. It´s my vanity that getting on the way. 3) There is no way we can know for whether he will be wise or a fool. Our commitment to God´s kingdom cannot be determined by a final solution to this question. To do so is considered vanity, says Ecclesiastes.