Money Week: Give Up! Enjoy!

“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.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18)

After deciding that money is worthless in bringing any real satisfaction to life, Solomon reached a head-spinning conclusion: Enjoy the moment! After all his dark words about dying naked and broke, I did not see that coming.

moneyweek_350Here’s the gist: Relax. Quit trying to win at life like it’s a competition. Quit trying to master it like it’s a test. Quit trying to solve it like it’s a riddle hiding the secret to total, blissed-out satisfaction, perfection, and the end of that groaning empty feeling that plays like white noise from the back room of your soul.

As Paul would say thousands of years later, that feeling you’re looking for is called heaven, being face-to-face with our Father God forever. That feeling is NOT hiding somewhere in this life waiting to be discovered in pleasure, money, or performance. And if you keep killing yourself to find it, you’re going to miss out on a million glad gifts today: great food, good friends, even the satisfaction that comes from doing your lousy job really well.

Think: Does Solomon’s conclusion surprise you? Does it sound too easy? Can we really just relax and enjoy today as a gift from God — or will most of us have to learn that hard way that all of our searches for meaning outside of forever with God will end in frustration?

Pray: Ask God to give you the courage to enjoy your food and work and play today as a gift from Him.

Do: Read Romans 8:22-25 to notice Paul’s take on what will finally quench the inner groaning of our souls.