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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
The book of Ecclesiastes is King Solomon’s life journal and reveals his search for purpose and meaning. Solomon had money and denied himself nothing his eyes desired. He had power and he used it to do whatever he thought would make him happy. Solomon had all the “toys” and played with each one until they were rusted and worn.
As Solomon takes us on his journey to find meaning, he pulls off the road occasionally, for a teaching moment. This passage is one of those moments. First, Solomon says, when a person stops living for themselves and starts living for God—when they find their true purpose and passion—there is genuine satisfaction. Work is still work involving “toil” and challenge, but when you’re doing what God has made you to do there is deep contentment.
Secondly, when a person understands that wealth and possessions are a gift from God, they can rejoice because of what God has provided. When we have God’s perspective on our stuff, he enables us to enjoy it. A change in mindset from “my stuff to own” to “God’s stuff on loan” turns the frenzied pursuit into a satisfying journey. When we learn to do things God’s way we move from whining to thanksgiving because “God keeps [us] occupied with joy in [our] heart[s].”
Talking to God
Father, please teach me the biblical perspective of possessions. Help me understand that all I have comes from you and is to be used for you. Help me teach and model the biblical philosophy of wealth to my children (and grandchildren). In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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