The Futility of Labors

Qohelet, the Preacher, teaches us that life apart from God is meaningless. It has us on an endless circuit of effort that is soon forgotten. He poses the controlling question, “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun (1:3)?

People pursue various things to occupy themselves in the few years they exist in this life, in this world. Qohelet surveyed a number of the most popular pursuits. It did not matter what they were, for it was all an enigma. The wise and the fool both live, die, and are forgotten. The rich and the poor both live, die, and are forgotten.

Worse, when one dies, the fruit of his or her labor is deposited with those who did not work for what they now possess (2:18). The heir may be wise or foolish, but there is no profit (or loss) for the one who originally worked to accumulate money, possessions, or reputation. Thus, accumulation is futile, too.

Worry ensues for the one in poverty and for the one with riches. One is anxious for the problem of running out of resources, while the other is concerned for the distribution and possible waste of all he or she has accumulated. Doubly disturbing is the one with many riches, who joins the poor in worrying about running out.

The Christian is encouraged that his or her labor, as unto the Lord, is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58). Therefore, he should not grow weary in doing good (Gal 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13). Further, there is no unemployment in the harvest because the laborers are few (Lk 10:2); and our Lord insists that the laborer is worthy of his wages (Lk 10:7).

Of course, we are beneficiaries of those who labored before us in kingdom work (Jn 4:38); and we build upon their Spirit-led endeavors. We do so with the assurance that each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (1 Cor 3:8).

Christians should rejoice in their labors because it is not our work, although our works were prepared beforehand for us (Eph 2:10). God performs all our works for us (Is 26:12) by the grace of God (1 Cor 15:10). The more the Spirit works in and through us, the more we have to boast about Him (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14).

We labor in spiritual things; being earnest in prayer and the knowledge of the truth (Col 4:12). Obviously, we labor in faith that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). Those who diligently labor for the purpose of instructing others in sound doctrine are worthy of a double honor (1 Tim 5:17), having fixed their hope on the living God (1 Tim 4:10). In this the laborer is indeed worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18).

Qohelet does not mention God in 2:1–17; but 2:24–26 is very different. God is not only mentioned, but He is acknowledged as the giver of good gifts. Eating, drinking, and labor are recognized as being from the hand of God (2:24). These things are enjoyed when they are from God; and He permits them to be enjoyed.

Qoholet draws a contrast between two types of people: sinners and those who are good in God’s sight. To the sinner, God has given the work of wealth accumulation, not to enjoy, but to eventually distribute to others, especially those who are good in His sight (2:26).

Now, no one is good in and of himself (Rom 3:12); but when God looks at those who are His (2 Tim 2:19), He looks at them through the blood of Christ that is permanently on the mercy seat of the heavenly tabernacle. Those who have the mercy and grace of God are those who have the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11), who is good because He is God. There is nothing good in our flesh (Rom 7:18); but those with His Spirit have the favor of a good, good Father.

My dear reader, labor should be a blessing and a joy for the child of God. God works; and in His original design for Adam, He made him to work. Jesus was a worker; and He claimed His Father was working, as was the Apostle Paul, as he labored for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10). We should follow these examples in not being a leech or a sloth. Rather, we should diligently work at the labor for which we were gifted.

The gifts of the Spirit give each believer a clue as to the type of work God has designed for him or her, for service unto Christ and His church. The economy between the church and the church member is a mutual one. The church needs to provide opportunities for members to serve; and members need to look for opportunities to employ the gifts they know they possess (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4).

Enjoying food and drink, as pleasant rewards, present an opportunity for us to acknowledge God and give Him thanks. This is the error of the unbeliever who suppresses the truth about God and does not give Him thanks (Rom 1:21). It is the Christian’s privilege to give thanks in everything (1 Thess 5:18) because from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things (Rom 11:36).

God gives us food in due season (Ps 104:27; Acts 14:17). He makes the heart merry and refreshes us with drink. God employs His people in purposeful kingdom work. Here is the antidote to a life of meaningless labor apart from Christ.

May God bless and confirm the work of our hands; yes, confirm and bless (Ps 90:17). May we set our hand to the plowshare of good works that manifest the gift of faith, given to us to know that serving Christ is a labor of love that yields a harvest of righteousness, for those who walk in all His ways, and who are found good in His sight.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

June 7, 2025

Ecclesiastes 2:18–26