Ecclesiastes 2:21 meaning

In life's journey, an often overlooked truth is the transient nature of our labor and its fruits. Ecclesiastes offers profound reflections on the futility that accompanies human endeavor. Solomon, grappling with the ultimate question of meaning, reveals that no matter how hard we work, the end result is elusive and ultimately not ours to control after death. This realization can lead to despair if one considers life solely "under the sun."

However, in this specific verse, the wise king emphasizes the joy found in momentary pleasures. Reflecting on the ephemeral rewards of toil, he urges a balance between work and enjoyment. The insistence on treasuring life and its fleeting gifts remains relevant; embracing these joys amid the shadows of life's uncertainties is essential. As it is explained, joy in the present is preferable to consuming oneself with worry over the future. This sentiment echoes through the ages, reminding us that while our labors may seem fruitless, the pursuit of joy should not be neglected. In these moments, we find a taste of the divine in the everyday.

The passage reads: "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." (Ecclesiastes 2:21, NASB95)