UBF Daily Bread

WHO KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD FOR A MAN?

Passage: Ecclesiastes 6:1~12

Key verse: 12

6 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: ²God 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,^(A) and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.^(B)

³A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn^(C) child is better off than he.^(D) ⁴It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. ⁵Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man— ⁶even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?^(E)

⁷Everyone’s toil is for their mouth,
    yet their appetite is never satisfied.^(F)
⁸What advantage have the wise over fools?^(G)
What do the poor gain
    by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?
⁹Better what the eye sees
    than the roving of the appetite.
This too is meaningless,
    a chasing after the wind.^(H)

¹⁰Whatever exists has already been named,^(I)
    and what humanity is has been known;
no one can contend
    with someone who is stronger.
¹¹The more the words,
    the less the meaning,
    and how does that profit anyone?

¹²For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days^(J) they pass through like a shadow?^(K) Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

Read full chapter

1. God gives wealth, possessions and honor (1-7)

Solomon bemoans the tragedy of having wealth, possessions and honor, but never being able to enjoy them. God can give a man everything his heart desires, and God can enable him to enjoy it. A man without God in his life spends his efforts for his mouth (7), but he is never satisfied.

2. Who knows what is good for a man? (8-12)

People think they know what will make them happy and they try to get it. But they do not realize that their short time on this earth is but a preparation for eternity. Both the rich man and the poor man must die and stand before God's judgment seat. Only the eternal God knows what is good for a man in life. Knowing God the Giver is more important than enjoying his gifts. When we know him and try to please him, he satisfies our hearts and helps us prepare for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me from a meaningless existence. Please help me to prepare for eternity with you.

One Word: God knows what is good