APR 20

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25
Memorise Hebrews 13:5
“Godliness with contentment is great gain”

Thus finally, at the end of these two chapters, Solomon makes his first positive mention of God and directs his readers towards Him. After being vexed by the vanities that he observed in human wisdom and prideful endeavours, he realises that happiness and joy can only be found in true contentment in the Lord. He exhorts man to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruits of his labour, for he realised that all things are from God. Do note that what he exhorts us to do here is not to live a wanton hedonistic lifestyle that seeks to gratify the desires of the flesh, but rather to be content and satisfied with the blessings that God has given to man. He encourages all to labour in order to enjoy the fruits of their labour, to eat and drink, acknowledging that it is all provided by the hand of God. In the context of the verse he also discourages greed and the pursuit of riches and wealth. Instead, we should be content and rejoice over what we have – sufficient to eat and drink.

Note also that the phrase ‘nothing better’ doesn’t speak of the absolute best thing that a man can do, but instead it is within the context of his hatred and despair, and with regards to a solution to his current sorrow. He saw that instead of lamenting and complaining, the best he can do is really to be content with what God has blessed him with. In so doing, we are bringing God into the picture, and understanding more of our purpose in life.

Again he asks the reader to accept it as coming from him, the one who had wealth in abundance and was able to eat anything that his heart desired. He had all that man could ever wish for, but there was a period of time in his life that he was not content. It was only when he could see things with God as the centre of his life that he was able to truly have joy in his life.

Thus it is only when we know that all that we have comes from God that we will be able to be content and enjoy life. As all that we have are gifts from God, we will also naturally know to enjoy them only within the bounds that He has set for us, and enjoy them in a manner pleasing and honouring to Him. We will not take the gift and despise the giver, but instead honour the giver and in grateful praise thank and worship Him with what we have.

Thought: To be discontent is to be disgruntled with the One who has given me all things.
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to be content in all areas of my life.