Path to Purpose: EcclesiastesSample

There are many people who are famous for the work they have done. Thomas Edison is famous for inventing the light bulb. Albert Einstein is famous for his work in physics. Steve Jobs is famous for creating the first iPhone. All these people made serious contributions to our world, and their work will continue on, even though they have passed away. Mostly all of us want to have our work mean something to the world. And even if what we do does not become as noteworthy as famous people throughout history, we still want our work to matter and impact others.

However, our work must be handed down to another after we pass, and there is no guarantee that whoever picks it up will handle it well. This is Solomon’s debacle in Ecclesiastes 2:18–23. What value and joy is there to be found in work if our efforts are but temporary?

It can be hard to let go of our work, not knowing what will happen to it when we are gone. And it can be hard to come to terms with the truth that our efforts, when it comes to work, are fleeting. But this is why we must view our work through the lens of the Gospel. When we view our work through the lens of the Gospel, we see that if we are in Christ, our work has eternal value.

Jesus brings eternal value to our work as believers because our work glorifies the Lord and contributes to God’s Kingdom. Even if what we do is passed on to another person after we die, what we have done for the Lord will continue to live on. Therefore, we can joyfully take up our work, knowing that our work is for God’s Glory and matters to God’s Kingdom. And we can rejoice, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Reflect and Respond

In what ways can you work with Eternity and God’s Kingdom in mind?