In our Tuesday lunch Bible Study, our school chaplain has been taking us through an Old Testament survey. Two weeks ago, we were about to discuss Ecclesiastes. Recalling that I had quoted it numerous times throughout my book, I prepared a one-page handout for the group containing a series of quotes I pulled from several chapters of my book. I thought it might be valuable to others.

The Doctrine of the Fall & Our Response to It

The book of Ecclesiastes often paints a bleak picture of work, highlighting what we know from Gen. 3:16-19 as the curse. The preacher, possibly Solomon, emphasized in Ecclesiastes 1:2 his theme, which he boiled down to one word—meaningless (NIV). Other versions use the word vanity. He says that everything is meaningless, especially work. He asks, “What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?” (Eccl. 1:3).

Ecclesiastes 1:2–9 shows us that our work environment remains uncooperative and will be marked by futility.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–23 paints a vivid description of the effects of the curse on our work and how empty it can be. “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Eccl. 2:17). He continues, “What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless” (Eccl. 2:22–23). Stevens offers this concise summary: “Work ‘under the sun’ is impermanent, unappreciated, without results, unfair and seductive.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 indicates that people are always going to be sinful (including you).

Finding a Job that Leads to Flourishing

In Ecclesiastes 2:4–11, he (Solomon) outlines the kind of work that he pursued. He “built houses,” “planted vineyards,” “made gardens,” and “made reservoirs.” He also bought slaves, owned herds and flocks, accumulated silver and gold, and managed entertainers. In Ecclesiastes 2:11 and in later in Ecclesiastes 2:17-23, he concludes that work is “grievous to me” and is a “chasing after the wind.” He grew to hate the results of his labors. He did not know what was going to happen to the investment of his time and energy after he was gone. He was frustrated, and asked, “What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?” (Eccl. 2:22).

Yet, in Ecclesiastes 3:11, we find a curious admonition. The writer asks us to consider that God is in control and has “made everything beautiful in its time.” He then states that man should “be happy and do good while they live… eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God… there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot” (Eccl. 3:12–13, 22). We learn here that it is indeed possible in the Lord to find satisfaction in our work. It is a gift!

How Christians Should Work

Ecclesiastes 5:12 says that hard workers sleep well and that riches keep you up at night with worry. We are reminded in Ecclesiastes 5:15–19 that we cannot take anything that we earn with us when we die, which has implications on our priorities and how we view our compensation. We are exhorted in Ecclesiastes 9:10 to put our hearts into our work because there will come a day when our work on earth will cease. I appreciate what is said in Ecclesiastes 10:10, which tells us to keep our tools sharp or else we will work harder than is necessary.

The Doctrine of Eschatology

When Jesus returns, the wicked will be judged, and the redeemed will enter into the New Jerusalem (see Rev. 21 and 22), where the hopeless message of vanity of Ecclesiastes will vanish. There will be no more meaninglessness in life and work under the sun because we will all be under the Son.

I highly recommend that you read this interesting Old Testament book of wisdom literature for yourself. You may be surprised at what you find. God will always speak to us when we seek him.

Editor’s Note: This article was adapted from the author’s personal blog. Republished with permission.