The Blessing of Contentment

Have you ever lost sleep over your financial situation? Do you find yourself battling envy or greed? Do you long for more than you have, or resent others that have surpassed you in this material world? All of us deal with this to some level. Sin corrupts our contentment. Greed empties us where God has already filled us. 

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon. God Himself claimed that Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. And as a King, he knew exactly what financial prosperity and materialism looked like. Here's what he had to say:

Whoever loves money never has enough;

whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Do you know anyone who is a true lover of money? Have you noticed that their thirst for financial gain is never quenched? No big purchase, or vacation, or new toy is ever enough. No day's work is ever finished. There is a lack of contentment, and very often a lack of joy. King Solomon continues in verse 12: 

The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12

Here, Solomon compares the peace of a man who works to live, and the burdens of a man who lives to work. Yes the Lord created work, and it is good. When He put man in the garden, He gave him specific tasks. Work was a part of God's perfect creation, it is a part of our current fallen creation, and it will be a part of the New creation after Christ's return. But Solomon says that 'their abundance permits them no sleep.'

No accumulation of money or toys will ever satisfy. Hard work will. An abundance of food or materials won't bring gratification. Contentment will. Whether a laborer eats little or much, his sleep will be sweet. There will be joy and satisfaction, even in challenge. That is the blessing of contentment. And contentment brings joy to the Lord's heart. And after all:

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
    that they can carry in their hands.

Ecclesiastes 5:15