"And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God."
Ecclesiastes 3:13
“And also that every man should eat and drink,”
We pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), and God blesses us with the gift of labor. He gives us our skills, we work responsibly, and He blesses our diligence. So, our loving Father provides for us our daily needs (Matthew 6:33). We tell Him of our gratitude and enjoy His gifts. Hard is the heart that does not see God’s hand in this picture, nor thanks Him for His goodness to us.
“When the gifts of God are not cheerfully acknowledged and enjoyed, our table becomes a snare.”[1]
“And enjoy the good of all his labor,”
God blesses a man with the ability to labor, and this gift allows us to take joy in what we can produce with our hands.
“Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:22).
“Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).
“When received as God’s gifts, and to God’s glory, the good things of life are enjoyed in their due time and order…”[2] (JFB).
The early church understood the joy and enjoyment of eating together what the Lord had provided. They shared the labor of their hands with each other.
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46).
“It is the gift of God.”
The key to enjoying what our hands produce is to understand that God is the one who provides for us so we can enjoy these things.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
“It requires peculiar skill to use creature comforts wisely and well. This power is the gift of God.”[3]
What a wonderful gift it is to be able to enjoy the fruit of my labor. Thank you, Lord!
[1] The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, ibid.