Ecclesiastes 5:18-19: “Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God.”
Giving our top performance in doing a job well done is the pleasure we receive from being thorough, planning, analyzing all possibilities, being responsible, perfecting one’s skills, and covering it all to the best of our ability. There is not a reward for laziness. Solomon stated earlier in Ecc. 2:24: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also is from the hand of God.”
How good it is to crawl into bed at the end of my day, and say, “It was good. I didn’t get everything done I wanted to do, but I did the best that I could today. Thank you, God, for giving me another day to live.”
“Man’s subjection to endless toil and work is exceedingly frustrating, for it never seems to render profit comparable to the work required. Death is each person’s destiny; it is inevitable and inescapable for all – no matter how a person lives.” HCSB The Study Bible For Women.
Ecclesiastes 5:12-17 denotes anxiety from earthly treasures:
- A business deal gone bad. Money lost from a negative venture.
- Squandering money for oneself and not using it for the good of others.
- Fear and anger can result from ill-advised investment schemes and plans.
In contrast, when we realize God is the source of our income and bank account and has a purpose in our life on this earth, then we can say with Solomon: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.” Ecclesiastes. 2:24.
Fame and notoriety are short lived. When I again set another new record for the month, in my sales job (which is entirely from God), I have to start all over again the following month. The exhilarating high is short lived. How accurate is the phrase, “You are only as good as your last sale.”
Principles of despair found in Ecclesiastes:
- Many times life is unjust and unfair.
- Sometimes wicked people prosper, and righteous people suffer.
- Accumulating wealth is short lived.
- One generation works hard and saves carefully, while the next generation is irresponsible and wasteful.
- The fate of every human is eventually having a funeral or memorial service. No one is exempt from death.
- A fool believes money is the answer for everything.
Principles of truth found in Ecclesiastes:
- God is ultimately in control of times and seasons.
- Best philosophy for humanity: “Fear God and keep His commandments.”
- We can enjoy a relationship with Christ through His death and resurrection.
- Fulfillment in this life only comes from God.
I have learned throughout my later years that not all answers to life are found in any one particular book that has been written. I can discover how to do new things I haven’t done before from reading a book, but God’s Word, the Bible, is the only book that gives lasting wisdom and knowledge and joy. Reading books is good, don’t misunderstand me. I have written two books and working on my third. I am eagerly awaiting our Pastor Todd Smith’s upcoming book, “Dark Valleys. When you love Jesus but hate life.” Some of the favorite authors of the books on my shelf are written by Chuck Swindoll, Matt Batterson, Holley Gerth, Timothy Keller, and Priscilla Shirer, to name just a few. But I have to apply the principles found in God’s word and put it into practice to own it and make it mine and to receive the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). No one else can do it for me.
Solomon’s final words to the issues of life all rest on our relationship with God as stated in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” Wealth, prosperity, unfairness, all the pleasures of life, appeared irrelevant to Solomon, as he came to the end of his life. God will bring every person’s every act to judgment. Life is short (as we keep seeing from the aftermath of the Las Vegas killings).
Invite God to reorganize your priorities, ambitions, and dreams, aligning them up with eternity in view. Enjoy tonight’s sunset. It is a gift from God. Set your hope on God, not on the uncertainty of riches, “who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:18b.
Questions:
Sit down and watch a sunset. How many colors can you see? How long did it take for the sun to go down?
Why is it so easy to get our minds sidetracked and off of God, when in crisis mode?
How do you handle life when it is unfair? What verses do you rely on?
Does your life seem empty, ok, or full of the joy of the Lord? What verse is your sunset?
I confess I get so caught up each day in the dilemmas that come across for me to try to solve. I need to pause, reflect, and worship and praise God for each breath and day He has given me. This is an imperfect world. That will never change. But I can still experience God-given enjoyment in life from setting my hope, faith, and trust in God’s promises for my eternal future.
“If only everyone could know we’ve been created by and for God! If only we could all comprehend that we’re precious to Him, housing mirrored souls designed to reflect His glory.” ― Louie Giglio, The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life
“No faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs through adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You would never have believed your own weakness had you not needed to pass through trials. And you would never have known God’s strength had His strength not been needed to carry you through.” Charles Spurgeon.
Listen to “Through All of It” by Colton Dixon. I can so relate to the words of this song’s message.