Daily Devotional for Wednesday, November 5

No Profit Under the Sun

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 2:10, 11.

King Solomon described the grandeur of his accomplishments, from magnificent buildings to luxurious gardens. He pursued every earthly pleasure and achieved greatness beyond of what most people could only dream. Yet, after all his labor and success, he reached a sobering conclusion, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (verse 11).

Solomon’s words challenge us to consider the true value of our pursuits. We live in a culture that often measures success by material wealth, accomplishments and pleasure. But Solomon, who had more than anyone could desire, found that these things, while temporarily satisfying, ultimately left him feeling empty. His reflection reminds us that earthly achievements, no matter how grand, cannot fulfill the deepest longings of the human heart.

True meaning and fulfillment come not from the things of this world, but from a relationship with God. When we prioritize Him, our labor gains eternal significance. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Let us shift our focus from temporary gains to the eternal riches found in Christ.

DAILY CHALLENGE

May we, like Solomon, invest in what is eternal for the eternal is where we find fulfillment and joy.

Steven Ridings