Contentment

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. [Ecclesiastes 6.9]

It can be challenging to discern from Solomon's writings in Ecclesiastes what is actually right and what is wrong. However, there are a few statements that make perfect sense that I believe the Spirit of God bears witness with. Ecclesiastes 6.9 is one of those statements.

The goal of most advertising is to convince those who see or hear it that they need more than they have. If we turned off the television and radio and did not look at any advertising whatsoever, how might our lives look different? Or, would it actually change anything?

Human nature is largely discontent with or without advertising.

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. [Ecclesiastes 4.4]

All humans have to do is see other humans to want what they have. Again, human nature is quite discontent.

While there may be many lessons to be learned from Ecclesiastes, this lesson stands out to me today that we should consciously make every effort to be content with what we have.

Father, help me to consider my life and what I have as gifts from You. Forgive me for comparing myself to others and for allowing myself to covet. Help me to see more clearly today the blessings You have surrounded me with and find contentment therein.