Daily Work
King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 3:12), wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on how many of the things we pursue in life are meaningless. From courtroom injustices to history repeating itself, Solomon has much to say about how the world works. One topic we can learn much from Solomon about is our daily work.
Let’s read his reflections from chapter 4:
“Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. “Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.” And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:4-12 NLT
Solomon takes note of some very important things we can take to heart about our lives and how we prioritize work (and everything outside of it).
First, Solomon mentions that many of us push ourselves at work, accomplishing goals just to compete with our neighbors. We want more and more, keeping up with the latest and greatest that everyone else has. What we find on the other side, of course, is that achievements and earthly possessions leave us empty. Often, the more we have, the more we want. It’s an endless cycle. Notice that Solomon says this motivator is meaningless!
Secondly, Solomon understood work/life balance. Fools don’t work at all—but the opposite, working with no rest, is just as harmful! It is better to have a balance of work in one hand and rest in the other than to have two hands full of work, only to “chase the wind.” Work without rest is meaningless!
Third, Solomon takes several verses to reflect on working alone. Not everyone chooses to marry or have children—but Solomon’s reflections go beyond passing your wealth along to your family. While it makes more sense to work hard to leave an inheritance for your family and is meaningless to store up wealth when you have no one to pass it along to, Solomon continues to talk about how two are better than one. This applies to both our effectiveness in what we are able to accomplish in any kind of work, as well as our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. We all need friendship and companionship. We are not made to go through life like machines, working hard with no one to enjoy life with.
Solomon lived before the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Messiah, yet he knew God placed eternity in all of our hearts. How much more do we have the hope of eternity now that we know Jesus! This work of spreading the good news to anyone we come in contact with during our time on earth is truly the most meaningful thing we can do. And outside of that? Do good with the work in your hands, and make sure to carve out some time to enjoy the fruit of your labor with the people you love.
“What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 NLT
Has your daily work felt meaningless lately? Do one of Solomon’s points resonate with you? What is one way you can apply Solomon’s teaching to your life this week?
