A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 11:24-26

In this chapter, the Teacher begins an experiment. He decides to test whether meaning can be found in pleasure (vv. 1–3), prosperity (vv. 4–11), wisdom (vv. 12–16), or hard work (vv. 17–23). He will try each thing and see if meaning can be found there. It is here that the Teacher’s identity as Solomon seems to make the most sense. No other person in Israelite society would have the means, the money, the education, or the wisdom to test whether true meaning in life could be found in these things. Ultimately, as we expect, the Teacher does not find the meaning that he craves.

We live in a world that tells us to find meaning in pleasure, prosperity, wisdom, and hard work. Western society in particular tells people that they will find fulfillment if they enjoy themselves, collect material goods, gain knowledge and credibility, or even if they work hard. Yet, without God, it is not surprising that they don’t find contentment but instead struggle with high rates of dissatisfaction. Just like the Teacher in verse 17, they find that all this can lead to frustration and hatred of life.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, forgive me for those times when I forget that you are the source of true meaning, of everything that gives me contentment and joy.

(Edited from Encounter with God)