Day #11: The Gift of God

I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward. To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God. For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity. (Ec 5:18-20)

Solomon uses the phrase, "I have seen" nine times starting in this verse.  Of all the cases, this is the only one where he specifically says, "I have seen personally."  So, in all the questions about the meaning and purpose of life, he has one strong personal observation:  The best thing in this life is to enjoy the fruit of your labor.  Eating and drinking obviously does not mean partying, which he denounced in Ecclesiastes 2:1-3.  It describes the simple pleasure of a good meal with friends and family- fellowship.  And what is this?  It is a gift of God.  Four times in this passage we see the simple joys in life are from God.  God has given us life; He gives us work and the material rewards which come with it; And He keeps us preoccupied with the joy we derive from our daily activities.  Also, the work, the fruit of our work, the enjoyment we derive from it, as well as the healthy distraction it provides- all these are rewards from the gracious hand of God.  This is what Solomon had personally observed.  Very profound.

The one with incredible wealth, power, and prestige saw the simple pleasures of life, which God gives to the common man, as the best that life has to offer (life under the sun, that is).  But what about beyond the sun?  Isn't the gift of God a lot more than simple pleasures?

Of course, when we get to the New Testament, we see Jesus referring to "the gift of God" in His conversation with the woman at the well. 

A Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.” (For his disciples had gone off into the town to buy supplies.)So the Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you—a Jew—ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (Jn 4:7-10)

He is introducing Himself to her as the Messiah, the one who brings salvation and the gift of the Spirit.   The concept of salvation as a gift agrees with Old Testament prophecies and yet is obscure to many. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection Jesus offers eternal life to those who believe.  And it must be a free gift, because no one is righteous enough to earn it on their own merits. 

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Eph 2:8)

For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ro 6:23)

If we got what we deserved, it would be death, but Christ offers the free gift of eternal life.

Solomon was wise to see God's nature reflected in "common grace", but God's grace is so much more when applied to salvation. Theologians call it "salvific grace".

 Questions to consider:

  1. Why do you suppose Solomon describes the enjoyment we derive from work as a "gift of God"?
  2. What was Jesus describing as a "gift of God" when talking to the woman at the well?
  3. In what way is salvation truly a "gift from God"?

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