A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life… it would have been better for him to be born dead. His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness… He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else—well, what’s the use? All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough… Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. [Excerpts] Ecclesiastes 6:3-9 (NLT)
As a culture, we tend to focus on what we don’t have, always wanting and longing for more instead of focusing on and being thankful for what we do have. Life can be hard and everyone goes through difficult seasons. Focusing on what you don’t have leads to a life of discontentment. The scriptures teach us that a life without contentment is meaningless.
Comparing what you have to what others have can lead to jealousy and envy. Are the things you’re working for needs or are they wants? And how much is enough? When you are thankful for all you have, you are able to experience contentment in your life. It is through contentment that you will see God’s blessings and will know He provides you with everything you need.
Action Step: Think of what you are working for. Are the things you’re chasing needs or are they wants? How can you change your focus away from dreaming of having things you want, to realizing that you have everything you need? Spend some time today thinking about what is enough to satisfy your needs.