Read Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
- What question does Solomon ask himself?
- How does he answer it?
- What does he conclude about work?
Reflect
Solomon, who was known for his wisdom, wrote about the desire to find purpose in life and in work. He observed that God “placed eternity” in everyone’s hearts, meaning that earthly pleasures and pursuits can never fully satisfy – only God can. So Solomon asks, if only God can satisfy, what do people work for?
We can find ourselves asking that same question. God’s Word rightly warns us that we won’t be completely fulfilled by anything apart from Him: not a larger paycheck, nor a grand vacation, nor any promotion. But at the same time, God has given us many good gifts that He wants us to enjoy. One of these gifts is finding satisfaction in our work.
God cares about your job, whether it feels glamorous or laborious, whether it’s in the marketplace or a ministry. He desires to give you good things, including meaningful work to do. Tomorrow you’ll read about how God took great care in creating you and planned things for you long ago. If you’re in a season without meaningful work, remember that the God who created you is still with you today.
Respond
- Have you ever found yourself questioning the purpose of work like Solomon did? What answers were you able to find in the past, if any?
- How do you react to hearing that meaningful work is a gift from God? In what way is this truth similar or different to how you’ve viewed work before?
- What other gifts from God have you been able to enjoy recently? Spend a moment in prayer thanking Him for what comes to mind.
Pray through these questions, and write down what God is prompting you to do next. Share with a friend, and take a step to apply it.