Ecclesiastes 2

“Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24, NKJV)

As the king of Israel, Solomon had wealth, power and glory like no one else. He spared no expense in pursuing pleasure, building great works, and planting gardens and orchards. He acquired servants, herds, flocks, horses, apes and even monkeys! He amassed gold, silver and musical instruments of every kind. But what did all of his pleasure and possessions accomplish? As Solomon surveyed it all, he said that it was vanity and grasping of the wind (v. 11).

So he considered both wisdom and folly. While wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness, both the wise person and the fool dies. This too is vanity.

In his diatribe, Solomon gives the perspective of life without God. No amount of pleasure, possessions, or wisdom will ultimately satisfy.

But in verse 24, Solomon seems to have an epiphany. The best thing that a man can do is to eat, drink and enjoy the benefits of his labor, for this is from the hand of God. At last he brings God into the picture! Life is not found in pursuing extremes but in enjoying the simple life that God gives us. As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

As we celebrate Christmas, let us consider the many blessings we have received from God. We may be rich or poor, but if we have Christ in our hearts, then we have a continual Source of joy and peace. Then let us enjoy our meals together, laughter, and exchanging gifts, knowing that everything comes from the hand of our gracious Heavenly Father. Good blessings enjoyed in holy and grateful contentment are not vanity but abundant life!