Our Ministering Unto Ourselves, our taking the time to Count, Enjoy God’s Blessings this Christmas. Yes, Really! Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 Complete Jewish Bible

²⁴ So there is nothing better for a man to do than eat, drink and and let himself enjoy the good that results from his work. I also realized that this is from God’s hand. ²⁵ For who will eat and who will enjoy except me? ²⁶ For to the man who is good from [God’s] viewpoint he gives wisdom, knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of collecting and accumulating things to leave to him who is good from God’s viewpoint. This too is pointless and feeding on wind.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The palpable tension of knowing when to take action and when to rest is often addressed throughout the pages of Scripture. The Bible is replete with subtle and not so subtle invitations to the “I am too busy” weary to come to Jesus for rest (Matthew 11:28-30) and to take rest (Mark 6:31) abide in Christ (John 15:14).

Conversely, Scripture emphatically charges us to go out into world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and to make the most of every opportunity because the days are short (Ephesians 5:15-16). So then, what’s the balanced answer?

Do we go and over do, or stay, linger, rest, in God’s Arms this holiday season?

I know there are folks out there in God’s Kingdom who will steadfastly ignore that question, brush it off, raise high the standard; “As God sacrificed for me, as He sent His Son into the world, I’ll sacrifice for Him, send myself as Jesus did!”

Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 offers insight into how we should approach Christmas time.

He wisely writes, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This, too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”

For someone whose holiday plans involve a lot of eating, I am grateful that Solomon encourages us to enjoy our food! And all God’s children said, “Amen!” 

All jokes aside, Solomon, in these verses, reminds us to enjoy life’s blessings:

Food, fellowship, and a job well done. Even in a fallen world where the evidence of sin is over prevalent, we still experience gifts from a most gracious, loving Father. I like to think of these blessings as “glimmers of Heavens rest,” glimpses of the abundant, extravagant life those in Christ will experience for all eternity. 

Solomon does not encourage us to abandon, do away with our responsibilities, forgo our covenant obligations, or even say a hardcore no to things we enjoy doing. Instead, he draws our attention to the fact that God is sovereign over everything. Even our ability to find enjoyment in this life comes from the Lord. 

However, we celebrate this season, (be sure we do actually celebrate) cling to truth God’s grace and mercy enable us to experience eternity in the here, now.

Might I suggest, many family’s has come to practice, a sure balance of Kingdom participation in gathering, assisting, distributing, help feeding the homeless, at the same time, balancing our family time and our resting time ensuring we too have ample time for rest and relaxation, and time for giving the Lord all of the glory and honor and praise because He gave His all, therefor He alone is worthy.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Think about your over detailed holiday plans.

Do you tend to lean more towards filling the calendar with “all the things?”

Or perhaps you are more likely to keep a clear schedule?

²⁶ For to the man who is good from [God’s] viewpoint he gives wisdom, knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of collecting and accumulating things to leave to him who is good from God’s viewpoint. This too is pointless and feeding on wind.

In light of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, how might the Lord call you to adjust your plans this Christmas season so that you can fully enjoy the celebrations of Jesus’ arrival and share the blessings from the Lord with others?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 121 Complete Jewish Bible

121 ⁽⁰⁾ A song of ascents:

⁽¹⁾ If I raise my eyes to the hills,
from where will my help come?
² My help comes from Adonai,
the maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot slip —
your guardian is not asleep.
⁴ No, the guardian of Isra’el
never slumbers or sleeps.

⁵ Adonai is your guardian; at your right hand
Adonai provides you with shade —
⁶ the sun can’t strike you during the day
or even the moon at night.

⁷ Adonai will guard you against all harm;
he will guard your life.
⁸ Adonai will guard your coming and going
from now on and forever.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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