Third Time's a Charm

As we’ve been looking through the sometimes difficult book of Ecclesiastes, we’ve come up with two overwhelming themes. The first is life is meaningless; the second is to find a way to enjoy it. It’s sad to think of what life must have looked like for someone without the knowledge and assurance we have in Jesus Christ. Yet we can still find truths in these words of Solomon.

Today were going to look again at the second of our themes again. We first saw this thought in 2:24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. Again in 3:13 Solomon goes back to these thoughts and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. In today’s passages Solomon again returns to these ideas. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says 18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

It’s true we are blessed with a life so much deeper then eating, drinking, and enjoying it. Yet there are still truths in these words. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Therefore we know there it is profitable for us to heed these words; eat, drink, and enjoy the good of your labor.

Usually at this point I would try to add some meaningful application. But I have already done that twice before on this message. Instead I’m going to cut out early today, I’m going to eat, drink, and enjoy the good of my labor on this Fourth of July holiday. The steaks are marinating, the Diet Mt Dew is chilling in the fridge, and my family is waiting for me to get off the computer. Let me encourage you to do the same today.

And happy Fourth of July.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved