What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13

Today I listened to podcast where the host commented on the state of the American workforce. Earlier in the day I encountered four men all doing jobs requiring different skills, but each of them seemed to be taking some initiative and pride in their work.

In the passage above, Solomon, from his perspective as King of Israel, observed the workers who served him. I imagine some of those tasks were less than glamorous, yet work is worth doing. Work gives us a sense of accomplishment and an opportunity to serve others.

The men I mentioned above, provided some expertise for us today and they seemed enthusiastic about it. Solomon wrote that “there is nothing better for people than to be happy and do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil- this is the gift of God.”

How many of us see our work as God’s gift?

Paul wrote about the attitude we should display in that “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Work with enthusiasm and give it your best.