Ecclesiastes 2:11

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

The US Open teed off yesterday at the famed picturesque Pebble Beach. Brooks Koepka is vying for his third straight US Open title which would put him in elite company. What happens if he is successful and wins what would also be his 5th major championship? He and his camp will celebrate, but after a week (then a month then a year), the feeling of accomplishment will fade. He will have desires of another win. However, a regular tournament win is no longer satisfying to a Major champion. Major champions desire another major championship. Before the champagne dries, it will be time to prepare for another tournament and he will have the want to win The Open. The calendar will the turn and the Masters 2020 will be near. There will always be that next tournament. The writer of Ecclesiastes considered the earthy gains from all his hard work. He planted productive vineyards, orchards, garden, and trees. He has had maids and servants for decades evidently because he noted he even had servants born in his house. He collected much gold, silver and treasure from kings. He gave himself whatever his eyes desires. Then, finally one day he looked at it all and realized that really no profit resulted from his hand. The work was grievous, yet one day it will be left behind for someone. This someone will not have worked for it and he/she may or may not be wise. Therefore, they will gain his possessions without regard to their knowledge or efforts. He considered each of these thoughts and joys from riches to be both vain and vexation. The pleasures from his gain quickly faded and left a greater thirst for more. The more something was used, the quicker it deteriorated. In verse 24, the writer realized, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” All of our riches and gains are blessings from God. He granted us the opportunity and gave us the health in the attainment of everything from our hand. A lady once exited a high end boutique in New York City and came face to face with a beggar. She gave the beggar a $100 bill and the street person told her, “God Bless you!” The blessed lady replied, “God never gave me anything. It’s all still His!”