UBF Daily Bread

WHO KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD FOR A PERSON?

Passage: Ecclesiastes 6:1~12

Key verse: 12a

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?

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

1. People cannot enjoy wealth, possessions and honor (1-6)

The Teacher saw another grievous evil. People amass wealth, possessions and honor so that they will be comfortable and happy. But God doesn't allow them to enjoy what they have accumulated. Instead, it is enjoyed and squandered by their offspring. A stillborn child, who never sees the light of day is better off than a person who cannot enjoy what they have produced. The Teacher means that life is fleeting. What we work all our lives for can't be enjoyed because we will soon be gone.

2. Who can tell us what will happen? (7-12)

People seek what is good for them. They toil and gain wealth and honor in their search. But these do not help them find meaningfulness. This is only found when we surrender to God and recognize that all these things come from Him; even the enjoyment of these things must come from God.

Prayer: Lord, help me repent of my search for wealth, possessions and honor. Help me instead to seek you in my heart all my life.

One Word: Only God knows what is good for me