Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
In this book that sees so much of common life as being futile, verse 10 seems like a contradiction. If the things we do are futile, then should we not do things with very little effort and interest? But the writer tells us the exact opposite – do all your work with all your might, do it the best you can. His reason for this advice is for those who live life for this world. When you die (Sheol) there will not be any work, so do it now as best as you can while you live.
But this same advice is excellent for those who live this present life for the next life. If those who serve this life work hard because nothing is coming afterward, then should we not work more zealously because we know there are expectations in eternal life based on what is done here. This life destroys everything with decay, moth, thieves, etc. But if we do our work with a heart for serving Christ, then our work serves heaven, where there is no loss. Let us do our work as worship, with all our strength, with love for and praise to the Saviour.
Meditate on verse 10. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me to do my work with all my might
to the glory of Your name. Amen.