To accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God

Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:12

This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied. What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?

For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

Enjoyment is the antidote to gloom about the passing of the years.

What value is long life, without the chance to enjoy all we have worked for? Better be still-born or miscarried. The person ruled by appetite and desire will never be satisfied.

Why?

Long life is meaningless if they could not enjoy their toilsome labor.

Our life should not only be for our mouth, yet our appetite is never satisfied. If we are really smart knowing the Lord, change our eyes from the world to God's grace.

How?

Under limited life enjoy what the grace God has given to us.