Ecclesiastes 4-8

“Sweet is the sleep of the laborer ... but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep” (5:12). The author of Ecclesiastes recognized that the more he tried to manage his wealth and success, the worse he felt. Like the humble “laborer,” it was better to work hard and then leave things in God’s hands. Believing that we can achieve every goal or fix every problem leads to “vexation and sickness and anger” (5:17), but daily depending on God brings us real happiness (5:18-19).

“And I commend joy ...” (8:15). We do our work “as unto the Lord,” and we also glorify Him by resting and enjoying His good gifts.