It’s easy to believe today that what we do defines who we are. From our job titles to our LinkedIn profiles, the pressure to achieve, produce, and succeed can quietly shape our identity and sense of worth. We find ourselves chasing purpose through work, hoping that our careers will provide the fulfillment our souls crave.
But is that really where purpose is found?
The Problem: Work Without God Is Empty
The ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes speaks directly into our modern hustle culture. King Solomon, one of the most successful men of his time, reflects on all his labor and accomplishments and concludes:
“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done... everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” —Ecclesiastes 2:11
Chasing purpose through work alone leads to emptiness. Why? Because when work becomes about status, validation, or comparison, it demands more than it gives. The finish line keeps moving. The to-do list never ends. You can be successful and still feel deeply unfulfilled.
The Cost of Chasing the Wind
Ecclesiastes 4 paints a sobering picture. Solomon observes those who work tirelessly, driven by envy or ambition, only to find themselves isolated and discontent: “There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content... ‘For whom am I toiling?’”—Ecclesiastes 4:8
This picture is all too familiar. The parent who provides financially but is absent emotionally. The individual who gains a promotion but loses relationships. The person who works endlessly, only to realize they’re alone.
We often think more money, a bigger title, or a better platform will bring us peace. But Solomon flips that idea on its head: “Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”—Ecclesiastes 4:6
In other words, peaceful contentment beats relentless striving every time.
What God Actually Says About Work
Work is not the enemy—God designed us to work and create. But He never meant for work to be our identity. Instead, work is meant to be a gift—a means of expressing His character and serving others.
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” —Ecclesiastes 3:13
When we begin to see our work as a partnership with God rather than a performance for the world, everything shifts. It becomes worship—not just what we do, but how and why we do it. Jesus echoes this idea in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Whether you’re managing a team, raising kids, building homes, or balancing spreadsheets—your work is a way to shine light and bring glory to God.
A Better Perspective: Work for the Lord
The apostle Paul offers a refreshing reframe:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...” —Colossians 3:23
No matter who signs your paycheck, you ultimately work for the Lord. That means your value doesn’t depend on your job title but on your faithfulness. You are not just an employee—you’re a steward, a witness, and a vessel for God’s purposes.
Finding Purpose in Contentment and Trust
Ecclesiastes doesn’t leave us in despair. It offers a freeing truth: you don’t have to chase more to find meaning. Instead, purpose is found in faithfulness, contentment, and trust in God’s plan.
“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor…”
—Ecclesiastes 5:18
God isn’t calling you to burnout. He’s calling you to fruitful, faithful living. To rest in His provision. To slow down and create margin for relationships and worship. To use your work as a tool—not a trap.
So, What Now?
Ask yourself:
“God, help me work with joy, integrity, and purpose today—for You.”
And remember this promise:
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord... your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
—1 Corinthians 15:58
Your work matters—but only when it flows from the right source and serves the right purpose.
So don’t chase purpose through work.
Instead, bring purpose to your work—by inviting God into it.
But is that really where purpose is found?
The Problem: Work Without God Is Empty
The ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes speaks directly into our modern hustle culture. King Solomon, one of the most successful men of his time, reflects on all his labor and accomplishments and concludes:
“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done... everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” —Ecclesiastes 2:11
Chasing purpose through work alone leads to emptiness. Why? Because when work becomes about status, validation, or comparison, it demands more than it gives. The finish line keeps moving. The to-do list never ends. You can be successful and still feel deeply unfulfilled.
The Cost of Chasing the Wind
Ecclesiastes 4 paints a sobering picture. Solomon observes those who work tirelessly, driven by envy or ambition, only to find themselves isolated and discontent: “There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content... ‘For whom am I toiling?’”—Ecclesiastes 4:8
This picture is all too familiar. The parent who provides financially but is absent emotionally. The individual who gains a promotion but loses relationships. The person who works endlessly, only to realize they’re alone.
We often think more money, a bigger title, or a better platform will bring us peace. But Solomon flips that idea on its head: “Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”—Ecclesiastes 4:6
In other words, peaceful contentment beats relentless striving every time.
What God Actually Says About Work
Work is not the enemy—God designed us to work and create. But He never meant for work to be our identity. Instead, work is meant to be a gift—a means of expressing His character and serving others.
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” —Ecclesiastes 3:13
When we begin to see our work as a partnership with God rather than a performance for the world, everything shifts. It becomes worship—not just what we do, but how and why we do it. Jesus echoes this idea in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Whether you’re managing a team, raising kids, building homes, or balancing spreadsheets—your work is a way to shine light and bring glory to God.
A Better Perspective: Work for the Lord
The apostle Paul offers a refreshing reframe:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...” —Colossians 3:23
No matter who signs your paycheck, you ultimately work for the Lord. That means your value doesn’t depend on your job title but on your faithfulness. You are not just an employee—you’re a steward, a witness, and a vessel for God’s purposes.
Finding Purpose in Contentment and Trust
Ecclesiastes doesn’t leave us in despair. It offers a freeing truth: you don’t have to chase more to find meaning. Instead, purpose is found in faithfulness, contentment, and trust in God’s plan.
“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor…”
—Ecclesiastes 5:18
God isn’t calling you to burnout. He’s calling you to fruitful, faithful living. To rest in His provision. To slow down and create margin for relationships and worship. To use your work as a tool—not a trap.
So, What Now?
Ask yourself:
- Am I working to build a name for myself—or to glorify the name of Jesus?
- Is my work stealing my peace, or deepening my purpose?
- Do I begin each workday with prayer and partnership with God?
“God, help me work with joy, integrity, and purpose today—for You.”
And remember this promise:
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord... your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
—1 Corinthians 15:58
Your work matters—but only when it flows from the right source and serves the right purpose.
So don’t chase purpose through work.
Instead, bring purpose to your work—by inviting God into it.
Posted in Chasing Purpose