We usually believe that wealth, possessions, and honor will give us joy and contentment. God will give an abundance of these things to some people. To an observer, they seem to have everything. But God also withholds from them the ability to enjoy these blessings and instead, a stranger enjoys them. The Teacher calls this "another evil." What good is it to have everything in the world our heart desires but not be able to enjoy them?

The author gives another example. A person may have many children and a long life. But if the person cannot enjoy his prosperity or receive a proper burial, the person's end is no better than a stillborn child. Such a child could arguably be better off since it dd not suffer in the world.

Wealth, possessions, honor, children, or a long life cannot alone give us contentment. Toiling for our mouths never satisfies us (7,9). In this light, even wisdom or knowing how to conduct ourselves can seem pointless (8). The inadequacies of human life are well known, and we cannot contend with God who is stronger than us (10). Who knows what is good for us? God knows! When we delight in him, he will give us the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4).


Application: Father, you alone know what is good for us. Help me to pursue you, instead of worldly things, and live a meaningful life that honors you.
One Word: God knows what is good for us