Ecclesiastes 5:12-20

Satisfaction at Work

5:12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,

whether he eats little or much,

but the abundance of a rich man

permits him no sleep.

13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

14 or wealth lost through some misfortune,

so that when he has a son

there is nothing left for him.

15 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb,

and as he comes, so he departs.

He takes nothing from his labor

that he can carry in his hand.

16 This too is a grievous evil:

As a man comes, so he departs,

and what does he gain,

since he toils for the wind?

17 All his days he eats in darkness,

with great frustration, affliction and anger.

18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.

19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Be Satisfied with What You Have

The major point to remember from this passage is to remember that all we have, and all we will ever have, comes from God.

The things we possess on earth are not really ours but a gift from God given for us to use and enjoy.

Also remember that God has given us everything we need to live and there is nothing wrong with admiring the possessions we have or finding contentment in our jobs. God does not expect us to go through life with nothing.

But, we need to pay more attention to the One who gave us the gifts instead of just the gifts themselves.

Enjoy what you have and the work you do but thank God everyday for His gifts; Especially the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ who gave it all up for us to live.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Ecclesiastes 5:8-11 - The Love of Riches