Joel M Bradshaw

7All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.–Ecclesiastes 6

I once remember my wife taking me to sushi buffet. And it was expensive, so I made good use of the opportunity! I remember ordering every sushi roll they offered. We took a walk afterwards, and I almost remembered getting sick because my stomach was so full. I don’t think I have ever been more stuffed after a meal!

But here’s the thing–I still ate a snack before bed that night. I was ready to eat breakfast the next morning. It doesn’t matter how big a meal is, your appetite will still be ready for more.

Solomon pictured the purpose of work was simply to maintain this process. Work, earn, eat. These are not bad things, but they do seem lacking as ways to define your life. If life is always about your work, you are missing the point, for all your work can do is eventually feed someone’s mouth. And that mouth will always get hungry again.

Yes, providing for yourself and your family is a good and honorable thing. But some people live simply to satisfy an appetite, no matter what that appetite may be! There has to be a more meaningful pursuit in life. Appetites are never truly satisfied, so to arrange your life around them is meaningless.–JMB