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It bothered King Solomon. He wrote: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4, KJV; see also 2:17-21; 3:18-21; 5:10-17; and 8:11-14).
The Hebrew word that is translated "vanity" in the King James Version and "meaningless" in the New International Version is derived from the word "breath" or "vapour". Vapour is not meaningless--it is transitory, fleeting, momentary, brief. Solomon was not saying that this life is futile or lived in vain or meaningless as the usual rendering of this word implies. Rather, he was pointing out that this life is transitory--it does not last. In light of this, Solomon has much to say about the quality of this brief life that we live and our attitude toward the work we do as we live it. Here are some principles that he sets out in Ecclesiastes:
1. The ability to enjoy life and daily labour is a gift from God. "It is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart" (5:18-20).
2. People cannot fully enjoy life without acknowledging God, their Creator. "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man 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" (2:24-26). "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'<|>" (12:1).
3. Worry or concern over wealth and possessions is not God's plan for us.
"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income" (5:10). On the contrary, God's plan for us is deep, fulfilling, daily joy.
"I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun" (8:15).
4. We live our mortal lives in the present; therefore, God expects us to enjoy the present--and He expects us to do our best in the present. "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this transitory life that God has given you under the sun" (9:7-9). "There is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God" (3:12-13). "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom" (9:10).
5. We must never get so focussed on the present that we forget that God has created us for eternity. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (3:11). Our attitude toward life in the present reflects (and may even influence) our understanding of, and attitude toward, eternity.
Loren E. Warkentin is a member of Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C.
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