Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

[7] eat  thy bread  with joy,  and drink  thy wine  with a merry  heart;  for God  now  accepteth  thy works.  [8] Let thy garments  be always  white;  and let thy head  lack  no ointment.  [9] Live  joyfully  with the wife  whom thou lovest  all the days  of the life  of thy vanity,  which he hath given  thee under the sun,  all the days  of thy vanity:  for that is thy portion  in this life,  and in thy labour  which thou takest  under the sun. 

What does Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Again Solomon recommended the present enjoyment of the good things God allows us to experience in life (cf. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). This was his conclusion, since our future on the earth is uncertain, and since after we die, we cannot enjoy these things. In particular, we should enjoy food and drink ( Ecclesiastes 9:7), clean clothing and perfume ( Ecclesiastes 9:8), and marital companionship ( Ecclesiastes 9:9), among other of life"s legitimate pleasures. This list includes some luxuries as well as the necessities of life (cf. Ecclesiastes 5:19).
"God has already approved your works" ( Ecclesiastes 9:7) means such enjoyment is God"s will for us. This encouraging word does not contradict the fact that we are the stewards of all God entrusts to us. However, this verse should help us realize that it is not sinful to take pleasure in what God has given us, even some luxuries. We need to balance gratefulness and generosity, keeping some things and giving away others. This balance is not easy, but it is important.