July 8 | Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

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DAILY READING

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

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REFLECTION

Work, the Red-Letter Word

By Pam Mann

In the readings this week, we ask the question: Is work a four-letter word?

When we read this passage from Ecclesiastes, it seems that the answer to that question doesn’t matter. Why even ask it? “Vanity of vanities!” warns the Preacher in Ecclesiastes 1:2, “All is vanity!”

Bible scholars warn us that Ecclesiastes is a puzzling book. This may comfort you if you were puzzled while reading this Ecclesiastes 9 passage. The zinger has to be verse 9 as it goes on about “this meaningless life” and “all your meaningless days.”  As believers in Christ, our days are quite the opposite of meaningless. Our lives have purpose.

I grew up with the RSV which says “vain” for what the NIV translates as “meaningless.” Without Christ, work is in vain. Don’t we find this truth also in Psalm 127:1?  “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

We know folks who do not know God as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of life. Often such folks find work to be in vain and life to be meaningless. By contrast, those raised with a strong Protestant work ethic know well the phrase: Work hard to please God. I am such an individual, raised by parents who experienced the Great Depression as children. From this profound experience, they learned and taught me that work and the ability to do work are life-giving opportunities, to be embraced with thanksgiving. As young adults, my parents endured World War II. My dad survived four years of military service when many of his buddies perished. He learned and taught me that living in a free nation where I choose my work is a privilege ensured by the death of others.

I know that the Preacher in Ecclesiastes 9 is not describing my life, but the life of someone who does not know Christ. I know this not only because of my upbringing but also because of the book’s conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Now all has been heard, the Preacher explains as he concludes his book. He has presented multiple views on life’s meaning and here, at last, he gets to the bottom line. Fear God. Keep his commandments.

When we trust God to guide us through each workday, even monotonous work has its significance. Back to our original question: Is work a four-letter word? Not for the Christ follower. For the believer, who is walking with Jesus, work is a red-letter word, marked by the blood of the Lamb.

PRAYER

Thank you, Father, for the ability to work, for the freedom to choose our work, and for the opportunity to experience Your presence in our work.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.