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My work needs to yield profit

Do we find meaning in the work of our hands.  Many times we labor all day and we have nothing to show for it.  No smiles. No pat on the back. No added monies. No benefit to even the organization that we are doing it for. It is truly time for some introspection.

Ecclesiastes 2:11
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.

Vanity, vanity and vanity. These are the words repeated throughout the chapter. Ecclesiastes 2:14 says, "The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them." The writer is truly perplexed about what is going to give gain. Every strife and toil seems to be meaningless for him.

In verses 24-26 he acknowledges that God is the one that gives all these blessings of riches and wisdom. But it is all vanity for the writer. Indeed it would be when we stray from God's intentions.
Everyone is gifted by God for a purpose. Are we ready to use it or even give it all away? Every task has the resources required. The question is whether I am using the resources correctly to fulfill God's intended purposes through me. It is not profit from man's perspective.

Father, help me use your resources well to yield the profit that You intend.

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