City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

So I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is futility.

Therefore I completely despaired over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. When there is a person who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and then gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it; this too is futility and a great evil. For what does a person get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his activity is painful and irritating; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is futility.

There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink, and show himself some good in his trouble. This too I have seen, that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? For to a person who is good in His sight, He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to the one who is good in God’s sight. This too is futility and striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 (NASB)

Reflection

The preacher (King Solomon), at the end of his life, reflected on the futility of going after things that this life had to offer. He understood that life on this earth was short and that many people seek after things that, in the end, will be meaningless.

Solomon wrote about the futility of labor in chapter 2. He tells us that all we gather in life will go to the next person and we have no real control if that person will be just as wise as us or a fool. We lose control of our wealth and possessions upon our death. How prophetic this must’ve been for Solomon, because after his death, Israel was divided and everything that showed the glory of the country was lost. Jeroboam led a revolt against King Rehoboam that split the kingdom in half. You can say that Rehoboam was a fool, and he ended up squandering the wealth and land that he had inherited from his father Solomon.

Simply put, Solomon’s example should be a good one for us. What are we spending our time and labor on? Are we losing our time to gather and collect, to stay busy, when we should be focused on what is good for others and for God? For sinners, God has given the task of gathering and collecting so that He can give this to those who need and for those who serve God.

Application

As I am writing this, my father’s time on this world is coming to an end very soon. I can reflect on his labor and what he has left for us as kids. He was a first-generation Christian in his family with an alcoholic dad who wasn’t there for him. My father broke many generational curses through the redemptive power of Christ, and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He loved to evangelize and reach out to people with the gospel.

My father left a legacy that was focused on a love of Christ and not a love of money. We had little to live on throughout my life, but we were never in need, and we always had a roof over our head and food on our plates. I learned how to trust God with money because of my parents and through the hardships they experienced. Money is fleeting and we never know what will happen to it after we die, but relationships, wisdom, and a trust of God can last to the next generation.

So what does this have to do with generosity? Simply put, do not spend your life working to gather and collect because it wont last and you cannot know if the money will be used wisely or not after you die. Instead, leave a legacy of generosity, spiritual wisdom, and sharing the gospel when the opportunity arises. Let others see that, as a Christian, you consider money only as a tool for God’s kingdom (because it belongs to God after all), and you don’t live to store wealth, but find ways to bless others.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for all that I have. Let me not hoard wealth for my own selfish desires, but to consider Your kingdom, and Your purpose for the money You have given me. Help me to be more generous and to trust You with all that I need. In Jesus’ name, amen.