The Front Porch
“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.”Ecclesiastes 2:24 (KJV)
Picture a quiet street in a small town. The houses are modest. In the evening, families sit out front with simple food, talking and laughing, in no hurry at all. They don’t look like people waiting for life to start.
Much of our culture tells a different story: work hard now, build wealth now, and then someday you can rest and enjoy it. Someday keeps moving.
Solomon saw the same thing and pointed the other way. “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Enjoyment isn’t the reward at the end. It is a gift along the way.
Proverbs adds, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” And Paul says, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” You don’t need to wait for more to enjoy what God has already given you tonight.
Read it yourself
Read 1 Timothy 6:6–10. What does Paul say we brought into the world, and what will we carry out?
What simple gift from God could you sit down and enjoy tonight, instead of waiting for someday?
Father, thank you for what you have already given me. Teach me contentment, and help me enjoy your gifts today. Amen.