The Grands Letter (Eccl/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on July 31, 2025 4:44 am (CST)Dear Grands,
Ecclesiastes 2:21-26, “When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun?
23 Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.
24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?
26 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 one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”
Unless I miss my guess, there are a host of people (some of whom may even be reading this) who are identified and unmasked by the Scripture passage above. It’s not that they don’t have a job, or that it brings them no compensation for their labor; rather, it’s that they see no true value in the work itself.
The tendency of many is to view tasks as “painful and grievous,” so that the mind does not rest. Thus, it is the LORD who gives mankind the privilege to work productively. Further still, it is the LORD who gives man strength to work; and the work produces wages whereby man and his family might live. Not every man’s work is the same; still, the strength to labor in production is and ever will be from the LORD!
Everything being said, where would man or his work be without the LORD? When we are thankful, we look to Him with gratitude. “Bless the LORD, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,
Gene
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
“We will never know that Christ is all we need
Until He becomes all that we have.”
–Corrie ten Boom