Day 43 – Enjoy your work! (Ecclesiastes)

Do you know the Billy Joel song that says, “only the good die young”?  The Preacher and writer of Ecclesiastes seems to feel that way.  He observes ”a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.” (Ecclesiastes 7:15)  He also states, “The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same events happens to all of them.” (Ecclesiastes 2:14)  At one point, the preacher basically asks himself, “What is the point of wisdom, hard work, and living well, if I end up just like the foolish and wicked?”  But he finds that “there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:13)  Life is going to offer the same trials and triumphs to Christians and non-Christians alike.  Life is not fair.  Knowing this, I’d rather have Christ accompanying me!

The preacher also offers some good advice.  “…there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12)  “…a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot,” (3:22) 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.” (5:18)  “For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” (5:20) 

Work and the ability to produce work is a gift from God.  God has given us a set of skills and interests for the purpose of working and caring for others.  We were not meant to be idle beings.  Work gives our lives meaning and purpose, an opportunity to fellowship with others, means to provide for our families, and positive health benefits.  As the preacher said, work occupies us and prohibits us from dwelling on the negative and unfair events of life.  Praise God for your work and skills!

My prayer for today:

Lord, life feels unfair a lot.  Bad things happen to me without reason, and good things happen to me undeserved, too.  Thank you for not bailing on me, when it gets rough!  Thank you, Lord, for the skills and abilities that you have gifted to me.  Thank you, also, for work that provides for my needs.  Help me to exhibit a joyful attitude even when work is tiresome.  Help me to use those gifts in your work, too.  Amen

Add a comment June 29, 2010