Ecclesiastes 2: 22-26 The vanity of labor

What does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity. There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without him? For a person who is good in his sight he has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner he has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God's sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

It is not until now that he points to the only realistic approach to the question raised - an upright life and enjoyment of what it brings, for every sort of joy comes from God. Therefore, in Christian tradition what the Preacher is saying here is interpreted as an invitation to look to Jesus Christ and see that everything true and good is to be found in him. Because it is impossible for one who walks in the light to be in darkness, the man who keeps his eyes fixed on Jesus will not be lacking anything or distracted by any vain thing.

Daily Prayer: Jesus told us that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added to you. David echoed these same words when he said in Psalm 23 that the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want. It is not that you fix your eyes on Jesus to fulfill material blessing, but instead by understand that man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from God. It is a commitment to a man resulting in faith that brings about well-being. Amen.