As Everyone Comes, So They Depart

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 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.

This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 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.

Ecclesiastes 5:13-20

Do you really realize that everything you have is a gift from God? Whether it is a house, a dance floor, a wonderful wife, two beautiful children, four thriving grandchildren, a nice car, a good job, or the ability to dance --- it all comes from God. Everything is a gift from God.

God gives us gracious gifts. How do we use them? Do we use them to say “thank you” to our Father? Today is thanksgiving. Say “Thank You,” and think about what that really means.

From the beginning to the end, all of life is a continuous gift. God gives it all to us. We deserve nothing. He owes us nothing. Yet He gives us everything. If we remember this, we need not feel selfish or guilty. Whatever material blessings we have are a gift from our gracious God.

God, who has given so much to us, gives one more thing – a grateful heart.

Our Daily Bread – November 28, 2013