Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Meaningless Work

2:18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.

19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?

Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.

20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.

21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it.

This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.

22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?

23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.

Are You a Workaholic?

I must tell you that this passage really hits home for me!! Solomon is telling us that working for the sake of work is meaningless.

Working for power and possessions alone is also meaningless because both will be left at death to someone who may not deserve what we have nor will take care of these coveted possessions.

Where Does the Fortune End Up?

I've heard it said that, "All my possessions and money will be left behind and generations into the future may be inherited by a drug addict who will spend it all on fixes!" So true, huh?

Don't Quit Your Job!

Working to support ourselves and to take care of our family is the right thing to do and there is nothing wrong with accumulating some wealth. But, just understand that possessions are not the "end" result because they will all be left behind.

What Jesus Said

When approached by the rich young man and asked how to have eternal life this is what Jesus replied:

Mark 10:21 - Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have [Matt 6:20] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

I do not believe that Solomon is telling us to quit our jobs and move to an island to retire or hurry and spend every cent we ever worked for.

What he is saying is that working just to make more money to buy more stuff is meaningless. On the other hand, serving God has real meaning and leads to everlasting joy. Why are you working?

Love in Christ

- Bob

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 - A Meaningless Life