Satisfied with Your Portion

by Heather Tietz

Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Solomon asked God for wisdom. God, impressed with his humble request, gave Solomon every worldly good as well. Solomon’s experience with wealth, possessions and honor make him the likely author of Ecclesiastes. He philosophizes about life and offers his advice as the infamous star, the beloved leader, the wise man on the hill. He’s had it all, done it all, and been it all. Toward the end of his reign he writes “Outside of God, all is meaningless.” He has learned that life, even the “good life” is empty, without reverence for God’s ways.

To turn his statement around, “the best of life is within reach of anyone who is God fearing, God following, and Jesus loving.” The simple things in life, eating, drinking and enjoying your daily duties are the basics for good living. That is all. That, is all! The stretch for fame, for fortune, for acquiring things, they are an empty plate, an unsatisfying, over-priced, over-hyped meal. Don’t waste your limited time. Enjoy the portion God has given you. Thank Him for it. A satisfied heart is a happy heart. Isn’t joy what we are after anyway? Satisfaction will fend off the grey hairs of stress, the illnesses that come from overwork, the strain on friendships that fame and even fortune create.

Wherever you are in life, stop and be satisfied. God in His wisdom will give you more than you’ve asked for!