There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Ecclesiastes 2:24
Such a soothing and comforting verse.
Rarely do we find ourselves adhering to it though.
Instead, we race through life!
When we wake up, we focus on what we need to accomplish today. Then looking further down the road, we focus on how we can attain more wealth. There is nothing wrong with being wise and prudent, but we shouldn’t overdo it either.
So we let the world creep in a little…
- Advance that career!
- Build up that resume!
- Go, go, go!
It certainly takes much hard work to be successful in this world, and that’s a fantastic thing. However, that is also the thought process of the world. When that becomes our sole thought process, it means we are leaving out our family, even worse, God.
Did you notice how simple this verse was?
The point was, work hard today and enjoy today’s labors.
That is the point, that is the take away.
Do you know why?
Tomorrow is promised to no one.
Instead of defining that statement, let’s read a parable of Jesus. In Luke 12:16-21, Christ gave us the parable of the Rich Fool. A certain rich man had so many goods, that he tore down his old barns, and built even bigger ones to hold all of his goods.
Listen to Jesus provide the parable.
Luke 12:19
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
After many years of hard work, the rich man finally decided to rest and enjoy the fruit of his labor. Prior, he apparently only had enough time to admire his great wealth.
Luke 12:20
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
This night, the rich man was going to perish and his soul would return to God who gave it, (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
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How then will all his years of hard work benefit him?
They won’t.
Instead, another man who never worked for this great wealth will inherit it. Enjoying the fruit of the rich man’s labors.
Luke 12:21
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
While the rich man had great wealth and prestige on earth, he could not take it with him.
How wealthy and prestigious do you think he is in Heaven?
Not very.
This ties right into what Jesus told us in Matthew 6.
Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Building up abundant and excessive treasure on earth are not the thoughts of God, but of men.
Matthew 6:20
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Instead of investing so much blood, sweat, and tears in wealth we will never even use, invest it into God and your family.
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Wherever you invest your time, that proves where your heart resides.
If our sole focus in life is work and gaining abundant wealth, our heart lies with the world.
If our thoughts lean more toward God, if we live a Godly life, and help to spread the Gospel to our family and friends, then we are certainly building treasure above.
So never forget what is most important in life. God is, and being content with the gain of today, ensuring you enjoy a little of it each day.