PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Study No 7 - 05/05/2009

Ecclesiastes Ch 2:17-26

“So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun is grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave it to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. So my heart began to despair over all the toilsome labour under the sun.__ All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too I see is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment. (Ecclesiastes Chapter 2: verses 17 to 20, 23 to 25).

A Man is Greater Than his Work!

I have met the odd lazy person who cares little for work. But for most of us our work is an important part of our life that many times defines who we are and the things we talk about when we meet with our friends. And what better way to celebrate our toil that than to have a bite to eat, a fresh juice or a glass of wine!
But what is hard is when you give something of your hard earned money, only to see it squandered away. As a minister in the church I learned early on that giving out money to people who knocked on the door for help only meant it was often to be squandered. Yet whenever we give something to another we also give away our control of it.
Our author presents a negative view of work and toil that acknowledges that one day we have to let this go and give what we have prospered and earned to another. Many a parent has seen their hard earned money or assets also being squandered by their children.

It is a frustration of life that it can take years to build up something only to see it disappear in a few days. Yet there is nothing we can do about it because it is outside of our control.

If we were to read the first 3 chapters of Genesis, we would find this kind of toil and frustration and sweating on our brow is the punishment we received from God as a result of our desire to be free of God and to run our own life. Unfortunately that’s what life is like for all of us, that our work never truly satisfies us. Nor are we able to control our life or what happens with what we pass on. I think this is the hardest part of life, not being in control of it.

Yet we can give the control of our life back to God and to find that while God never removes all the toil and frustration of life or of giving what we have away, there is the overriding guidance of God that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. (See Romans Chapter 8: verse 28).
There is a time to enjoy the fruits of our labours. Even our author sees that there is enjoyment for eating and drinking and we can add to this; holidays, gifts and travelling to see the world. We need the balance of not getting too carried away with either enjoyment or despair.

Gracious God, Help me not to put too much effort into my work that I lose the enjoyment of life. Thank you that Jesus is able to pass on his life to us. Amen.

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