DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2026: Vanity of Vanities
KEY VERSE: “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 12:8).
TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 12:8–14
Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. All is futility (emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and transitoriness)!
9 And furthermore, because the Preacher was wise, he [Solomon] still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10 The Preacher sought acceptable words, even to write down rightly words of truth or correct sentiment.
11 The words of the wise are like prodding goads, and firmly fixed [in the mind] like nails are the collected sayings which are given [as proceeding] from one Shepherd.
12 But about going further [than the words given by one Shepherd], my son, be warned. Of making many books there is no end [so do not believe everything you read], and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.
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British writer Jack Higgins, the author of the successful novel The Eagle Has Landed, was quoted to have said that when you get to the top, you’ll realize there’s nothing there. He’s not alone in this conclusion. It’s the old song of sports and pop stars, especially the notably successful ones. Tennis star Boris Becker got to the very top of the tennis world, yet he became bankrupt despite winning 13 Masters titles, three year-end championships, and an Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles in 1992. He led Germany to two Davis Cup titles in 1988 and 1989 and is said to be the youngest-ever winner of the men’s singles Wimbledon title, a feat he accomplished aged 17 in 1985. Be careful, says Becker, because “you’re not always going to be on top.”
Higgins and Becker are using the lens of man’s inadequacy to measure life performances. However, in Christ Jesus, all limitations are removed. The believer’s achievements are not tied to earthly glory but eternity with God. Whosoever fears God and keeps His commandments will discover treasures in glory that overshadow all the vanities of life. When men focus on earthly achievements, they forget the ultimate goal of existence: fear God and do His will. Life is meaningful when lived in the fear of God. It is useless when lived in furtherance of selfish pursuits.
The stories of great evangelists and pastors of old show us that a life lived for God’s glory speaks of no vanity of vanities. In the Bible we have the example of Paul the apostle. At the end, he declared: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Such a man as the great Apostle saw no vanity because he realised very quickly that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
If you are tempted to make mammon your god, think twice because “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Before worshipping at the altar of Baal, remember that God is the ultimate Judge and the only One we must worship on earth and in eternity. Only what is done for Christ lasts forever, else everything is vanity of vanities. Choose Christ and choose life today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Without God, earthly gains are less than vanity.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 9–11.
DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2026
