I invite you to open a Bible to Ecclesiastes and to read the sixth chapter on your own, taking a moment to reflect on the text in silence.
The first two verses of this chapter may seem odd at first; why does God seemingly cause this evil? The reason that God does not always grant enjoyment alongside worldly gifts is that the one who receives the gifts does not always value God over what has been received. How can someone truly enjoy wealth if they think that their life does not have any further meaning? Remembering the source of worldly things and using them to serve God ensures that the abundance is felt in its deepest capacity.
Even if someone has many children and a long life, if they are always seeking more wealth, pleasure, and worldly goods to the detriment of loving God and their family, they will die a sad and quiet death. Not only will their hunger never be satisfied by gold, but they will not even find rest in death. A stillborn, even though they never got to experience the goodness of creation, will rest peacefully with God. This is better than to have lived and scorned God in favor of temporary pleasure. As soon as the man of avarice dies, he will have lost everything. There will be no family at his burial and nobody to mourn his loss. No amount of gold is worth this fate. This section is primarily meant to point the reader to right worship and gratefulness to God, but it also is a reminder to prioritize one’s family.
Verse eight asks after the value of wisdom, which is another initially startling message to find in a book classified within the genre of wisdom literature. Both the wise man and the fool die eventually, so ultimately, there is no quantitative difference. But in keeping with the themes of Ecclesiastes, the answer lies in God granting enjoyment to the believer. One who is wise will remember God when living, and will thus have a more fulfilling life. The fool will not feel this comfort and will constantly search for meaning, never finding it. Both die in the same manner, but they experienced life very differently.
The last section of this chapter asks more questions that can only be answered by God. It is notable that Solomon does not use even one verse to give an explicit answer. He assumes that the reader has been attentive enough throughout the previous chapters to know that God gives the advantages and the good, and knows what will be after the reader’s life.
As you move through this week, take some time to dwell on your closest relationships. Have you been prioritizing your friends and family enough? Do they know how much you love them, and do you recognize how much they love you? Take some time to reflect on God’s love and generosity, making sure to thank Him for the greatest joys in your life.
Logan Abraham 