Nothing Better

Eccles. 2:22-26

22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. 24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment [1] in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him [2] who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Footnotes
[1] 2:24 Or and make his soul see good
[2] 2:25 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts apart from me

• What does it take to have true enjoyment in life?
  
• After Solomon evaluates labor under the sun and finds it futile and empty, what does he say that a man should do?
  
• Why would Solomon stress mere eating and drinking?
  - How many of us would be content with mere eating and drinking?
  
• Why should a man tell himself that his labor is good?
  - How often have you quested for the recognition of others?
  - How often have you labored so that others would tell you how well you did?
  - Is there anything wrong with receiving recognition?
  - What are the risks of seeking or questing for recognition?
  - How might Gal. 6:3-5 harmonize with v. 24?
• What is God's role in your enjoyment of life?
  - How much do you enjoy life?
  - Is your enjoyment based on the pleasures of life or God's part in your life?
  
• What does Solomon say is a result of being good in God's sight?
  - How does this reflect the promises of the God's covenant with Israel?
  - Should you expect this today? Why or why not?

Harold's Musings:
In this passage, we first find a pair of themes that will be repeated throughout the book: If God gives the ability to enjoy, then enjoy the simple things of life. It is not quite as straightforward here as it will be later, but it is there. Discontentment with our life is a tool that Satan uses to get us to strive after the wind. We buy something we have been wanting in the hope that it will make us happy and content. We get the Sunday ads or read a new online article and then we find the better, newer, greater thing is out. Our discontentment is back. According to Solomon, we should be content to eat, drink, and find enjoyment in our work under the sun. We should be content with the simple things and not fill our lives with empty stuff. God is the one who lets you enjoy life. Is this something we should be praying for each other?