Ecclesiastes 5:19

New International Version (NIV)

Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

For meditation

Yesterday was a day of celebration and feasting in the United States. It was a day the nation has set aside to give thanks to the Lord for His blessings upon the nation and individual families. It is a joyful day on which families gather to eat, chat, play games, share gifts, and be merry. Many people pray for the first time in the year on Thanksgiving Day. People travel across the nation to be with friends and family and to enjoy each other’s company. The food is good and plentiful, and people share with the less fortunate ones. Unfortunately, not everybody truly enjoyed the day.

The reality of life is that availability of food does not make a joyful meal. All the wealth, possessions, the giving of gifts do not guarantee a joyful time with each other. Neither does the company of family and friends necessarily ensure a joyful celebration. Many people return hurt by old wounds that were reopened, a comment somebody made, or something another person did. It is one of the unfortunate sides of the human nature we inherited from Eden.

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes that the enjoyment of one’s wealth and possessions is a special gift from God. (Eccl. 5:19). It is God who gives us everything, and it is He alone who is able to graciously give us the ability to enjoy them. His grace package comes with contentment and a peaceful environment for all our labors. For, nothing could be as punishing as laboring under a difficult and crushing environment.  Nonetheless, God is able to give us the ability to endure and to enjoy our work. This is the grace that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.  That is why He should be the center of every celebration and all thanksgiving should rise to the Father through Him. The Spirit of God is always available to make it possible.

1. Do you acknowledge that everything you have comes from God (1 Chron. 29:14)?
2. Are you truly enjoying them with a contented heart? Do you have any issues with that?
3. Do you know that the same God, who graciously gave you all things, is able to give you the ability to enjoy them through Christ Jesus (Eccl. 5:19)?
4. Can you ask Christ for that gracious gift to enjoy the riches God has bestowed on you?
5. Can you be thankful and share your joy with others?

I pray that we will all be released from the burden of discontentment and ungratefulness that destroy our ability to enjoy God and His gift in Christ Jesus.

So: May you rejoice in Christ and remain forever thankful for the ability to receive all things from God, and to enjoy them to the fullest by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Shalom