Kohelet, "The Preacher", advises us that being too righteous can bring destruction. There's obviously more to this than at first appears. For example, the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ won't destroy him. What then does the author intend? We can use it to warn against self-righteousness, which will lead to destruction on the day of judgement. For believers though, we can understand it as advice to not be fanatical. Don't abstain from that which God has given for our happiness. Don't serve God such that we neglect our family. The key is a balanced life of service, and the scriptures will guide us in this. Yet our acceptance with God cannot come from even the most zealous life of works. The sinner needs the perfect righteousness of God given to him. In this way, God looks on us as perfect and already fit to enter glory.