“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 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! Solomon would agree with James who said:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV)

Life is not found in pursuing extremes but in enjoying the good things that God gives us. As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Rather than complaining, we should 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. This is more satisfying than pleasure, possessions, or power and endures for eternity!