Verses 1-3
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Life is hard for both the oppressed and the oppressor. Whether good or evil, life has pain. Ultimately, those who were never born (due to miscarriage, for instance) have the best existence because they will only experience love and peace with God in heaven without seeing any evil on earth.
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But do not let this cause you to wish for death today. Do not think about the injustice in the world to a point that it causes you to lose appreciation for this present life. Stay focused on the kingdom of God!
Verse 4-5
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No matter your works, even those that are skilled, there is always someone to envy or someone who will envy you. So don't try to gain contentment from greater accomplishments. Physical gains cannot satisfy.
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Knowing that the "best life" is to be with God in heaven - not to be born at all - focus on taking contentment in simply being with God and pleasing God. This will help guard you from envy.
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And when you are skilled in your works, there will be people who envy and hate you for it. Be careful, as you grow in skill, that you become neither puffed up nor discouraged by the evil thoughts of others. Envy is meaningless and "rottenness to the bones" (Proverbs 14:30).
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Do everything for the glory of God, not the praise of men. Let the pursuit of God's glory keep you motivated to be diligent.
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Also remember that those who envy are also lazy and foolish ("folding the hands" is a sign of inaction). They don't use their energy to work hard but rather to feed their envy, and so they waste away.
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Keep in mind that if you ever envy someone else's success, it's often a sign that you are being lazy. Take action! Don't sit in envy.
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Verse 6
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Contentment and peace are important, so don't take on more than you can do while keeping excellence in your works with peace of mind. If you focus on too many things in life, you won't do well, and you'll harm the quietness of your mind that's so important for continued joy and peace.
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Generally speaking, focus on few, important things in your life—relationships that are important, work that's productive, education that matters, etc.
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Also realize that you can push harder and handle more than you think. Focus on managing your time and health well, and you will be able to accomplish a lot!
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It's better to have less and be content than to always be chasing more at the cost of contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Always operate out of contentment.
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If you can't be content for yourself with basic needs being met, chasing more will only hurt you. Be content “having food and clothing”, and if you pursue more, use it to serve others, not to gratify yourself.
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Verses 7-12
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People who have no one to serve work only for themselves and their own gain. They never ask why they're working so hard for others bceause they don't have people they're trying to help!
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So, as you labor for anything, make sure that there are people you are working to serve. Any work that you do—and any increase of resources and knowledge that you gain—is meaningless if you are not using what you gain to serve others. If you are not serving others, your gain will not satisfy!
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So, if you have wisdom and skill, share it with others you love. Your children, younger people, friends...use what you have to help them grow closer to God and closer to living their lives according to the kingdom.
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And remember that the relationships you build, in the process, will be a great blessing to all parties involved. You will have greater comfort, safety, and much greater potential for gain when you are working with others! Don't go it alone!
Verses 13-16
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Greater age, wealth, and power have a tendency to cause pride. So, learn to be wise, and receive correction or advice from others in order to maintain humility. This wisdom matters because it pleases God. Everything else—wealth and power—are meaningless in the end.