7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
REFLECTION:
God knows and manages everything that happens in the world. Although it may not seem like this sometimes, God is indeed in full control of our lives. Since the God who created us fully understands us and has a wonderful plan to be accomplished in our lives, wouldn’t it be a lack of true wisdom if we still argue with Him about our cleverness and stupidity, strength and weakness, wealth and poverty, and superficial gains and losses? In these verses, Solomon tells us a meaningful truth: we can neither predict nor control our future, our future is completely under the control of God. Solomon said this to refute the common notion that people want to control their own destiny. Only God knows what will happen to us in the future. We should have the faith to rely on God in everything and understand that God has a good, acceptable and perfect will for our lives.
PRAYER:
Put down all the fear, worry and burden in your heart completely. Ask God to remove your idea of controlling your own destiny, and give you greater faith that you can completely rely on God in everything. Let God have full control of your life and lead your future path.
HYMN:
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow – https://youtu.be/JPSsSlmZt2w
18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
REFLECTION:
These verses teach us that God wants us to look at our wealth from a correct perspective. Our wealth is given by God. Regardless of your current financial situation, you should not rely on money to get happiness, but be satisfied with what you have now and live for God with what you have. Abundance by itself cannot be the source of our happiness. Abundance makes us joyful because every good and perfect gift is from God. We should focus on God who gives people, not on His gifts. When we know that if we have God then we will have everything we need, we can be happy and satisfied with what we have now. We will have a deep gratitude for everything God has given, no matter how much, and we will become a person who is rich in spirit.
PRAYER:
Come to God with a grateful heart, count God’s blessings, and thank Him for His abundant provision in all aspects of your life. No matter if you are rich or poor, ask God to give you more faith and wisdom to make you understand that it is God who gives and who takes away. In all these things, God has a good will for you, that you can receive true abundance and joy from Him.
7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
REFLECTION:
Some people are lazy, while others are workaholics. Laziness is certainly not pleasing to God, but workaholic is often driven by jealousy and greed, hoping to outstand, and it is not pleasing to God either. Solomon taught us that the correct attitude to work should be diligent but restrained. At the same time, we should also use time to enjoy God’s blessings, and recognize that it is God who gives work and blessings, not ourselves. Solomon also pointed out that there are many benefits to working with others. The life that God arranges is to live in company, not to be isolated from others; to establish an intimate relationship with others, not to live alone. Some people are so proud and stubborn that they would rather work alone than trust anyone. However, we live in this world, not to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others. Don’t isolate yourself and do everything alone. It is best to seek cooperation and teamwork. Are you very busy right now? Are you walking alone now? Please stop and think about Solomon’s teachings in this chapter, and examine the motive of your busyness, and correct your direction and pace in life in time.
PRAYER:
Regardless of whether your current state is too lazy or too busy, ask God to give you a balanced and healthy work and life. Ask God to examine your inner motives, so that you can see whether everything you do is to glorify God or to glorify yourself. Ask God to give you a humble and gentle heart, so that you can actively participate in church ministries, and work with brothers and sisters to build the house of God and extend His Kingdom.
