In this chapter Solomon reflects on the purpose of working / laboring in this world – is it meaningless, or not?
“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” (v24-26)
The concluding thought for this chapter summarizes a fool will spend their days laboring to gather that which someone else will inherit (worldly wealth). He also concludes that a wise person can gain meaning and joy by spending their life loving and serving God. Those who focus on God gains blessing – wisdom, knowledge and happiness – while fools gain nothing of lasting value and lack joy in their lives.
I have experienced the extreme dissatisfaction of pursuing things of this world – I used to have money and status, but those did not produce joy or lasting happiness; in fact, depression was the ultimate fruit of those pursuits. I truly felt “everything was meaningless” and I was “chasing the wind”.
When I began pursuing God instead of worldly gains my life got significantly better. I may have less money, encounter more struggles and hardships, and have to work even harder, however, there is now joy and satisfaction in those pursuits (I no longer feel that “everything is meaningless”). Despite the fact pursuing God is harder than seeking worldly pursuits, the rewards are infinitely greater and eternal in scope – I assure you a little extra labor to follow God is well worth the increased investment.
I encourage us to contemplate where we are accumulating our treasure (see Mt 6:19-21) and how we are investing our God-given resources. Is our labor motivated by God, or by this world? Either way life is going to be hard, but pursuing God has lasting results and the labor is not in vain. This is my motivation behind writing these devotionals – I cannot think of a more meaningful use of my time than glorifying God in my life, and prayerfully sharing His word with you, in the hope that you too will glorify Him in your life.
Father God, our Magnificent and Glorious Lord, Your name alone is worthy of our meager praise. Father we confess that we have not always pursued You with our whole heart, yet we yearn to do so. Spirit, please guide us on the paths of righteousness, directing our resources in ways that build God’s kingdom and have lasting results. May we love generously, and put Your will above our own, as Jesus modeled flawlessly. May every ounce of our labor be fruitful for Your service, from this day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training