When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work -- this is a gift of God.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 5 NIV
Read Ecclesiastes 5:19 in another translation
ASV BBE DRB ESV KJV NAS NIV NKJV NLT NRS RSV MSG WEB YLT17 All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them-for this is their lot.
19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil-this is a gift of God.
20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Read all of 1 John 4 NIVTaste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Read all of Psalm 34 NIVI have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Read all of Psalm 119 NIVTherefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 15 NIVThe eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.
Read all of Psalm 33 NIVBut he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 12 NIVThe Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Read all of Isaiah 61 NIV
Commentary on Today's Verse
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
(Read Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)
Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his will, and to his glory. Let this passage recommend to all the kind words of the merciful Redeemer, "Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life." Christ is the Bread of life, the only food of the soul. All are invited to partake of this heavenly provision.