What is Gained in Life

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 ESV
“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?”

Solomon was called the wisest man on the earth in his time, but later in life he became cynical and jaded. Toward the end of his life he had great troubles, it has been said that some of his 600 wives and concubines had turned his thoughts from God.

Ecclesiastes is full of his regrets in life. In this passgae Solomon asks a question; “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” If we work for selfish reasons, then there is no gain. If we work only to attain wealth, there is no gain.

If we touch peoples lives along the way, our toil gives great reward, in this life and the life to come with Jesus. We do well if we toil in righteousness and holiness, even in our jobs we can give glory to God. In our ministry, if we perform it to the glory of God, we will reap a great reward.

Prayer:
Father, I pray that as I have worked hard on this earth, I have not worked in vain. I pray I have sown your word faithfully. I pray I have poured into my wife and children the truth found in God’s word. I pray I have been a faithful servant to You and that I have been faithful to sow words of grace to as many as I possibly can. I have never considered my life, work, and ministry vain.