The Superpower of Contentment: A Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 5

Have you ever struggled with being content? Have you ever had that little thought in your mind, “if only I had more, if I only had that thing, then I would be at peace.” Today, we’re talking about the superpower of contentment for your lives. This ancient Scripture is incredibly relevant for our age, as we wrestle with our own contentment and the American Dream culture in which we live.

Truly, our whole lives are absolutely bombarded with the message that there is just one more thing around the corner. That if you experience contentment, you will get peace and experience contentment. But is that true? Let’s examine this in light of what the teacher of Ecclesiastes tells us about contentment.

You can find the full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/how-to-study-the-bible/

Ecclesiastes 5 - 

“Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.”

The teacher is saying, “If you love money, you’re never going to have enough of it.” Money is a tool that has a lot of power to corrupt us. One of the ways it corrupts us is in our belief that we can buy our contentment and fulfillment.  

“As goods increase, so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?

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

It might seem like it would be better to have more money, but in reality, there’s something about a simple life that makes it easier to rest in the world.

“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. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”

The secret of contentment according to these verses:

1. The ability to enjoy what we have
2. The ability to accept our lot in life
3. The ability to be happy in our toil (work)

It’s all in our mindset and attitude. Our ability to be satisfied with the life we have is the secret of contentment.

How then can I be content?

Philippians 4:11-13:

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” 

Contentment is in this: When our identity is squarely with Christ. When our understanding of life is based on what Christ has said makes a good life. When we open our eyes and say, “I am happy because I get to worship God. I am happy with what he has given me and where he has settled me, I am happy with the work I have today.” When we do this, we’re humbly placing ourselves before God, aligning our hearts and lives with his plan for us.

1 Timothy 6:6 -
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

What Does This Mean for Me?

1. Examine your relationship with money. Have you held onto it too tightly? Has money made you happy? Do you need to redefine money and your relationship with it?
2. Am I living with contentment? Am I entering this day thanking God, satisfied with where he has placed me? If the answer is no, one next step is confession – “God, I know I’m not settled, I know I don’t bring contentment to my world and life – will you help me grow in that area?”

RESOURCES:

Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!

Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com

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