Ecclesiastes 2 Devotional

Enjoyment From God's Hand

“Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.”Ecclesiastes 2:24 (BSB)

The Teacher runs an experiment few others could afford. He tests laughter and wine, builds houses, plants vineyards and gardens, digs reservoirs, and gathers servants, flocks, silver, and gold (2:1-8). Then he looks over all of it and finds nothing gained (2:11). Even the wise die like fools (2:16). He ends up hating his labor, because he must leave it to someone who may squander it (2:18-21).

The best thing, he says, is simply to eat, drink, and take pleasure in one's work, and even this comes from God, since no one can truly enjoy anything apart from him (2:24-25). The same things that failed as goals return as gifts. Pleasure chased for its own sake runs out, but a meal or a day's work received from God can be enjoyed for what it is. Paul says God richly provides everything for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). Today's ordinary goods were never meant to carry the weight of your meaning. They were meant to be received with thanks.

To think about: Which ordinary good thing in your day could you receive as a gift from God instead of asking it to give your life meaning?