Daily Devotional for Monday, November 3

All Is Vanity

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities: all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:2, 3..

This seems like a contradiction of what you have been reading and learning in the book of Proverbs. Does it not say, you are to see the ant’s diligence in all of its work? The proverbs gave reference to being slothful as someone who is a great waster, and his desires are killed because he refuses to work. So now, why are the profits from labor considered vanity.

            The word vanity gives allusion to emptiness or something unsatisfactory. Are you not supposed to enjoy the fruit of your labor? Yes! The thought throughout Ecclesiastes is without God in the situation, the affairs of this life really do not matter. The fact that you can do all that you do is a gift from God. He does allow you to enjoy the fruit of your labor; He does allow you to enjoy many things in this life.

            It is so easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday living that God is often put aside as the one you should give glory to for all you do. Many people are busy working and doing other important things, but Jesus warned against not trusting God for your needs. As part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, after He addressed the disciples that they should not worry about their needs because the Father will take care of them, He said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

            “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2;10). You were created to give God glory in everything you do.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Every work you do for the Lord and unto the Lord will be rewarded. Give Him thanks and glory for all you do.

 Karry Irizarry