Ecclesiastes chapter 2

vs 19

This is a continuation of the idea of meaninglessness of toil, given inheritance. The idea that someone works for something to get it, and then the next generation doesn't work to get the same thing, shows how meaningless it is.

vs 20

It's not because it didn't bring him joy - but his joy was in the doing, and in the seeing what he had made. Now, to hand it to another at death brings despair.

vs 21

Not just meaningless, but a great misfortune. It's actually a negative thing, not just a good thing that becomes pointless.

vs 22

Although he found some joy in his toil, he also freely admits it is also full of anxiety and hard labour. But the majority of the fruits of it (or indeed, any part of it that still exists upon his death) do not belong to him.

vs 23

Qoheleth does admit that work can have some joys, but he also admits the pain of toil, the sleepless nights, the grief of toil. And the pain and grief is as meaningless as the joy. Both equally pass away. So you could say that the suffering is as much for nought as the pleasure.

vs 24

Yes, work is meaningless, and eat and drink is just as meaningless - but there is no better option available to people than to find joy in these things. In fact, such satisfaction is given from God. That statement shows us that Qoheleth has not forgotten about God, nor has he dismissed God. This is, if you like, a taste of his conclusion - that outside of God, meaninglessness reigns. But here, we can see that the best choice out of what has been looked at (finding enjoyment in work and eating and drinking) comes only from God.

vs 25

This doesn't mean if you don't believe in God, you won't enjoy eating or working. It means that it is God that gives these meaningless things the ability to produce joy. Without God, there would be no joy in them. Perhaps we'd be simple creatures, driven by instinct, who robotically intake fuel to push us forward in a ceaseless mating ritual.

vs 26

Pleasing God brings good things - wisdom and knowledge, and happiness. I don't know whether it's helpful to think about these in a linear progression - that is, a) please God, b) gain wisdom, knowledge and happiness. I think it's all much more of a mixture in a bowl. In as much as there is stuff that is pleasing in the bowl, there will be knowledge and wisdom (which of course instruct us on God and his desires for our lives) and this life will also bring happiness to us.

Meanwhile, for the person who does not please God, they will be seeking to do something else - Qoleheth suggests they'll probably spend their life chasing wealth. And just to show you how meaningless that is, he shows that in doing so, they will actually, eventually, end up giving that money to someone else - and God will make sure that those who please him get a taste of it. They may not have 'earned it' in that they didn't toil for it, but they deserved it in that God was pleased with them. I think I could use this in my sermon.