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"A man should rejoice in his own works"

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:22

A CONCLUSION REACHED

Solomon had come to a conclusion that one ought to enjoy the good of his labour (Ecclesiastes 2:24). He now confirmed this with this word.

“So I perceived that nothing is better than that
a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage.
For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?”
Ecclesiastes 3:22

1. “So I perceived”

a) Solomon was a thinker.

b) His perceptions are not arrived at superficially.

c) Perception involves:

i) Research

ii) Analysis

iii) Contemplation

iv) Statement arrived at

v) Conclusion confirmed

2. “Nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works”

a) One may rejoice at other people’s achievements.

b) But there is nothing better:

i) Than that one rejoices in his own works.

ii) He has every reason to rejoice at what he has laboured at.

iii) The phrase “his works” suggests successful results.

iv) One has every right to find some measure of satisfaction for work that is well done.

v) This is not conceit in any sense of the word.

3. “For that is his heritage”

a) This is an additional word to what he had written earlier (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

b) The idea of a heritage is deep:

i) A heritage is not a one-off event.

ii) This may be seen as a privilege that is given to all who have been successful.

iii) The benefits of one’s success may bless the next generation(s).

4. “For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?”

a) If he does not rejoice in the here and now, when would he be able to do that?

b) Nobody is certain what would transpire next.

c) Wisdom teaches us:

i) To find joy in our labour.

ii) To rejoice when we are successful in our work.

iii) To find satisfaction and meaning in life as we are able to.