Ecclesiastes 2:17–25 ‘What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labour under the sun? (v22)
Solomon’s reflections in Ecclesiastes cause him to reflect on many areas that seem to be fulfilling.
He is especially gloomy about work, finding that for all the short-term benefits, the fruit of what he has done will be left to others who may or may not deserve it.
This is the perspective of a king who probably wasn’t digging foundations and laying bricks, but this is a view that would no doubt be shared by the many in our world who have little choice of how they earn their daily crust and also many who had a choice and now regret it.
Life ‘under the sun’, presumes that all you do is for you, and your family. Thankfully, the one who lives ‘under the Son’ has a completely different angle.
Paul reminds us that our labour can be done in Jesus’ name. We can choose to dedicate the adding up of accounts, the cutting of hair, the ploughing of a field and the directing of traffic to Jesus.
Any work that is legal and not morally suspect, can be consecrated to Him. And in case you are wondering if this includes work for which we are not paid: domestic chores, bringing up children and charity and community projects can also be dedicated to God.
All this matters and is part of our use of the talents He has given, which in a mysterious but wonderful way are caught up by God in the hereafter, with some connection between what we do in the new heavens and earth and our faithfulness in the daily task that we face today. So, will you choose ‘life under the sun’, or ‘life under the Son’?
A Prayer To Make:
Thank You, Lord, that all work can be ‘holy’ work, and so I praise you that in what I do, you can be glorified. Amen.
An Action To Take:
If you have never committed to God the daily tasks that make up your life,
why not do so now?
Scripture To Consider:
Gen. 39:2–6; Neh. 4:1–23; Eph. 6:5–9; Col. 3:22–25
