Special Note: As with last week’s emphasis on Ephesians, this week (and maybe some of next) will focus on Ecclesiastes, my favorite book of the Bible. In particular, I’ll focus on the purpose and meaning of life as discussed by this book. For an overview, see my sermon, Live Life in Light of Death. I encourage you to read one chapter of the book daily to go along with these devotions.

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 2

24 There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
Ecclesiastes 2:24

Party like it’s 1999!

Sometimes, The Teacher is thought to be a hedonist: seeking pleasure purely for the sake of pleasure. Sometimes, The Teacher is thought to be a nihilist, saying that all of life is hardship and strife, so you might as well find your pleasures and enjoy them to the fullest. 

It’s easy to think that way at first reading. Consider the whole chapter, which talks about life as hardship and strife. The Teacher notes that all he’s done may not, in the end, matter because who knows if his successor will build on what he’s done or squander it? Such reasoning would make it sound like we should seek pleasure for the sake of pleasure, whether for hedonistic or nihilistic reasons. 

But, as is often the case with religion, there’s a third way, and that’s what The Teacher is really after. Pleasure, The Teacher notes, comes from God, and often comes from wisdom that God gives. To know true pleasure in this life is to enjoy the things God has given us to enjoy. Those are things, always, that build us and others up. 

So we should enjoy the things God has given us because, in the end, life is hard. But those things to be enjoyed are things that build us or others up: things we know to be good for us. Pig out on Cheetos? No. But enjoy a good meal prepared by loving hands? Yes.

Think
How do you respond to The Teacher’s quip in our focus verse? 

Pray
Ask God for a wise heart.

Do
Do something today that God has given you to enjoy: something that you find pleasureful that builds up yourself or others.

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.