Seeking God in a Stack of WorkSample

Life is Gift, Not Gain

"I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift." (Eccl 3:12-13, MSG)

Hey there! Ever found yourself suddenly bored at work? Not just tired, but restless and feeling like there's no real purpose in your daily hustle? I know, right? That feeling when you feel dreaded and drag your feet to work every day. It feels like we do not know what we work hard for, except because we need money to survive. But is that all there is to life?

Some people might say that success is all about having fancy cars, designer clothes, and exotic travel adventures that you can show off on social media. And don't get me wrong, money is important, but is it really the key to a happy, meaningful life?

Not so, says Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes, writing down his own life journey experiences. He told us about his efforts to find wealth and riches, but it was empty in the end. Then he tried to find as much knowledge as possible, but in the end, it was just chasing the wind too. He indulged himself in all the pleasures of the world, but still did not feel satisfied. He had built magnificent palaces, beautiful gardens, hoarded gold and silver. In short, he achieved success and wealth far above the kings of Israel before and after. However, everything ends up in emptiness, a mere chasing after the wind. And that's what he concluded, in the end hollow, chasing empty wind. He couldn't find anything from this world that made his life meaningful. In the end, he warned, whatever we accumulate in this world is only temporary, and there will be a time when our time in this world is over. We cannot, after all, bring our possessions and fame from this world beyond our graves.

Solomon put it this way, “I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift.”

God wants us to be able to enjoy our lives and live it to the fullest. Many people think that God is out to restrict us hence taking away our happiness. That’s not true. What He wants is for us to have true happiness and a meaningful life. "I have come that you may have life—life in abundance" (John 10:10).

He did not come so that our lives would have more burdens. Instead, He came so that we might have life and live it abundantly, until it overflows. He longs that the life we live on this earth is truly meaningful.

Look at life not as an arena for achieving the greatest trophy for ourselves, but as a gift from God. When we do so, our perspective on life will change. Accept this life as a blessing from God and live it as an expression of our gratitude to God.

If we see life as just a competition arena to achieve the greatest material possible, to be richer and more famous than those around us, one day we will reach that saturation point and the emptiness.

Conversely, if we truly believe that life is a gift, then our life will be full of joy and gratitude, because we know that our life is a blessing from God. Whatever happens, He nourishes and blesses us.

We are no longer weary of chasing our own ambitions. We strive to do our best in life, achieve great things, and dream as high as the stars in the sky not for personal gain or glory. Instead, we do it for God and out of gratitude for His grace. This kind of life is one that we can live with relaxation and gratitude. It’s an abundant life that God wants us to enjoy to the fullest.

Life is gift and not gain.