As Ecclesiastes nears its end, Solomon briefly steps away from his familiar "under the sun" perspective and echoes the sharp observations of Proverbs.
Solomon writes: "Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants. He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it." Ecclesiastes 10:6-9
Solomon's point is plain: in this broken world, positions and honor are not always given according to merit. Servants can rise to power while the wise and noble are overlooked. At the same time, sloppy or reckless work brings its own punishment. The lesson? Do every task with care and integrity, no matter how small or unseen it seems because ultimate justice and reward do not come from men, but from God.
These truths feel less like earthly cynicism and more like heavenly wisdom. Wisdom that is echoed centuries later by Paul: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24
So today whether you're leading or serving, noticed or forgotten, digging ditches or making decisions that affect thousands, do it all as unto Jesus. Every faithful step taken for His glory is seen, remembered, and rewarded by Him.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.