享受屬靈的勞碌（傳5章）

我所見為善為美的、就是人在神賜他一生的日子喫喝、享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處．因為這是他的分。神賜人資財豐富、使他能以喫用、能取自己的分、在他勞碌中喜樂．這乃是神的恩賜。他不多思念自己一生的年日．因為神應他的心使他喜樂。（傳 5：18-20）

世上的勞碌有兩種，一種是出於私慾的勞碌，拼命賺錢或追求利益；另一種勞碌，是屬靈的勞碌，乃是依照神的命令努力做工，並因此得到神所賜的賞賜。

傳道書作者發現人不應該窮忙一窩蜂去追求世俗的享樂，而是該進入「為善為美的事」，也就是神的旨意當中，享受「神賜他一生的日子吃喝」。即依照神的旨意、善用神所賜的生命、忙神所喜悅的事，如此即使勞碌，卻是享受。

記得今年新任負責人講習中，總負責簡明瑞傳道講的一句話：「神的僕人，要能享受事奉，而不是忍受事奉。」是啊！若將教會中所被安排工作，用忍受的心態在面對，這樣心情就不美麗了。做神的工，當然不會太輕鬆，但是若願意轉念、看見真相，知道做了就有福氣，雖然勞碌，卻是一種享受。

在這幾節「為善為美」的陳述之前，傳道者有提到另一種勞碌，就是一般世人瘋狂追求名利時的勞碌。這樣的勞碌是出於私慾，雖積存了貲財，卻不見得有快樂。

我見日光之下、有一宗大禍患、就是財主積存資財、反害自己。（傳 5：13）

今天有許多人，開口閉口就是賺了多少錢、享受了什麼奢華宴樂，但這樣真的能帶來喜樂嗎？在智慧人的眼中，「財主積存貲財，反害自己」，也就是有些財主，雖然有錢，卻有說不出的苦，甚至連晚上都睡不著覺。這裏提到一件在兩千多年後的今天，仍然共通的文明病：「失眠」。

勞碌的人、不拘喫多喫少、睡得香甜．富足人的豐滿、卻不容他睡覺。（傳 5：12）

能睡得香甜，真的是神的賞賜。有錢又有何用？因著過度的富足，反而產生憂慮、愁煩，有時也引發家庭成員的不合，以致於天天失眠，漸漸地連身體的健康都受到影響。

「人在神賜他一生的日子喫喝、享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處．因為這是他的分。」只要在神的旨意中忙碌，取用合神旨意的份，不過份去追求，這就是恩典。從另一個角度來想，全心全意來做主的工，享受日光之下勞碌得來的。這「日光之下」，就好像是天父真神的臉光照耀之下，行合神旨意的忙碌一樣。如此享受服事神的每個機會，用享受的態度面對神交付的每一個事工，因此能「在他勞碌中喜樂」，真的是件快樂的事。

這些年因神美好的旨意從職場退休，日子沒有更空閑，反而更加忙碌。但是這樣的忙碌，卻使身體更加健康，心情更加愉快。就連家父今年八十三歲了，仍在嘉義教會擔任初信者造就班班負責的工作，還有常常被安排早禱會的主領分享。每次回去嘉義，總是看見家父為此神采奕奕，可見他真的是樂在其中。

「他不多思念自己一生的年日．因為神應他的心使他喜樂。」這也是我今年在新加坡分享的主題：「如何優雅地老去」時，所彼此共勉的部分。在神面前的服事，沒有年齡的分別，活到老、服事到老。越事奉、越快樂。有在事奉的年長者，不用「多思念自己一生的年日」，也就是不用計較自己今年幾歲了、身體會不會越來越差？「因為神應他的心使他快樂」，他們因為「被需求」，知道「我還有用」，因而對生命產生前進的動力，藉此更加快樂與健康。

如今，每天清早起床，想起今天還有預定要做的工作，心裡就很歡喜。因為發現自己還有用，也知道神還要用我，生命還有無限的可能。這種快樂，是不願做工的人所無法理解、也無從享受到的福份。

馬利亞說：「我心尊主為大、我靈以神我的救主為樂。」（路 1：46-47）

By Isaiah Kao

Enjoying Spiritual Labor (Ecclesiastes 5)

“What I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every person to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18–20, NASB 2020)

There are two kinds of labor in this world. One comes from selfish desires, striving desperately to make money or pursue personal gain. The other is spiritual labor, working diligently according to God’s command and thereby receiving the reward given by God.

The Preacher discovered that people should not busy themselves in vain, rushing together to pursue worldly pleasures. Instead, they should enter into what is “good and fitting,” that is, into God’s will, and enjoy “eating and drinking in the days of life God has given.” This means living according to God’s will, making good use of the life He has given, and being occupied with what pleases Him. In this way, even though there is labor, it becomes enjoyment.

I remember a sentence spoken by Preacher Jian Ming Rui at this year’s training for newly appointed council member: “A servant of God must learn to enjoy service, not merely endure service.” Indeed, if we face the work arranged in the church with an attitude of endurance, our hearts will not be joyful. The work of God is certainly not easy, but if we are willing to change our perspective and see the truth, that there is blessing in doing it, then although it is labor, it becomes a kind of enjoyment.

Before these verses about what is “good and fitting,” the Preacher also mentioned another kind of labor, the labor of people who madly pursue fame and wealth. This kind of labor comes from selfish desire. Though it may accumulate riches, it does not necessarily bring joy.

“There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his own hurt.” (Ecclesiastes 5:13, NASB 2020)

Today many people constantly talk about how much money they have made and what luxurious pleasures they have enjoyed. But does this truly bring joy? In the eyes of the wise, “riches being hoarded…to his own hurt” means that some wealthy people, though rich, carry unspeakable burdens, even to the point that they cannot sleep at night. Here, a condition common even today is mentioned: insomnia.

“The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich person does not allow him to sleep.” (Ecclesiastes 5:12, NASB 2020)

To sleep soundly is truly a gift from God. What use is wealth? Excessive abundance can instead produce anxiety and worry, sometimes even causing conflict within families. As a result, people suffer from sleeplessness day after day, and eventually even their physical health is affected.

“To eat and drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor…for this is his reward.” As long as we are busy within God’s will, receiving the portion that aligns with His will and not pursuing excessively, this is grace. From another perspective, when we give ourselves fully to the Lord’s work and enjoy what comes from our labor “under the sun,” it is as if we are working under the shining face of the Heavenly Father, doing what pleases Him. In this way, we enjoy every opportunity to serve God and face every task He entrusts to us with a joyful attitude. Therefore, we can “rejoice in our labor,” and this is truly a happy thing.

In recent years, by God’s good will, I have retired from the workplace. Yet my days have not become more idle, rather, they have become busier. However, this busyness has made my body healthier and my heart more joyful. Even my father, now eighty-three years old, still serves in Chiayi Church as the leader of a beginners’ edification class and is often assigned to lead and share in morning prayer sessions. Every time I return to Chiayi, I see him full of energy and spirit. It is clear that he truly delights in it.

“For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.” This was also part of the theme I shared this year in Singapore: “How to Age Gracefully.” In serving God, there is no distinction of age. We serve as long as we live. The more we serve, the more joyful we become. Those who continue serving in their later years do not need to “consider the years of their life”, that is, they do not dwell on their age or worry about physical decline. “Because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their heart,” they feel needed and know, “I am still useful.” This gives them motivation to move forward in life, bringing greater joy and health.

Now, each morning when I wake up and think of the tasks planned for the day, my heart is filled with joy. I realize that I am still useful, and I know that God still wants to use me. Life still holds limitless possibilities. This kind of joy is something those who are unwilling to work cannot understand or experience.

“And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.’” (Luke 1:46–47, NASB 2020)