Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought and on the labor that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

The guys who have earned the privilege to participate in the Masters tournament this week have dedicated their entire lives to winning this tournament. The winner will always be invited back for the Champion’s dinner and a lifetime exemption to play. Some play too long and others realize time has passed them by before the rounds of 80 are considered an accomplishment. No matter, they will always be labeled a Masters champion. However, none will be satisfied by this one victory. Invariably expectations will be on the increase for the champion to win another major and then another green jacket next year. We are really no different in our professional lives. We work diligently for the big promotion which comes with a welcomed increase in salary. We think to ourselves, “I’ll never need another raise!” A few years go by and we are unsatisfied with the position and ungrateful for the money. It’s the same with our adult toys of our dreams – the new sports car, the large house, or the customized golf cart. The happiness we get from these purchases resulting from our hard labors is fleeting. A newer something is already in production and will catch our eyes when it’s released and our neighbor has it. The gain bestowed upon the faithful Christian is joy. Unlike happiness, joy goes deeper within the soul and is everlasting. An honest reflection reveals all the things gained from our handiwork is only temporary and does nothing for us at the time of our departure. My prayer is to strive for spiritual gains. If our labor is not beneficial to the kingdom, the wage is worthless in the end.