Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson

Wresting with work

• Ecclesiastes 2:18-26; 5:18-20

Nora Earnest, member, Crow Mountain Church of Russellville

Solomon wrestles and contemplates about working all his life for naught. He was in despair over the futility of his laborious efforts and the situation itself. The knowledge of having to leave it to the next generation tore at his mind.

Have you ever thought about that? Some say, “I don’t have much to leave behind for the next generation anyway so why worry about it.” Then there are those who save every penny they can and do without essential necessities so their children will have it better than they did. Finally, there are those who enjoy their lives God has given them to the fullest, recognizing that all they have is a gift from God.

Solomon was concerned about who would inherit all he had worked for in his lifetime. Would it be someone who had not worked or would not appreciate the work into which he poured his effort and skill? During his lifetime, he was one of the richest men alive. Was he much different in his thinking than you or me concerning some questions about life? Are we concerned with what will happen to what we labored for in our lifetime?
According to the Bible, all that we have comes from God. That makes us merely stewards, but not owners, of all of our possessions.

What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? (Eccl. 2:22-23). Are all his day’s work both pain and grief? In context, he is talking about how one should view life with respect to labor and the fruit of his labor. Solomon’s solution to this paradox is to enjoy to the fullest the life God has given you, recognizing it as His gift.

God has given man a life to enjoy while living in obedience to Him. There is no enjoyment in life apart from God.

Finally, we may overcome our frustration over futility in life by enjoying life. By being occupied with God’s good gifts. God wants us to be happy in our work. If you will let Him, He will bring happiness and joy into your life every day. We can fully enjoy the things of this world as wonderful gifts of God’s grace. Paul said to be content in all things (Phil 4:11). Our inheritance is in Christ.

The Bible says, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything we have comes from God” (1 Chron. 29:14).