Ecclesiastes 6:3-6 (ESV Strong's)
3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?
Be Content With What You Have
We cannot read any portion of Ecclesiastes without remembering the last two verses. Every verse we read in the book should be studied through the lens of these two verses:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV Strong's)
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
These last two verses put in perspective those, above, from chapter six. Mankind loves to accumulate. For a lot of people, lots of stuff gives them lots of significance ... at least in their eyes. We can read Solomon’s observations about that life style in these verses. Solomon states that those who have accumulated much wealth and many children and much friendship and lives many years, but are not satisfied with those things, it would be have been better for him to not be born. Being “satisfied” with what you have is the theme of Paul when writing to the church at Philippi and to young Pastor Timothy:
Philippians 4:11 (ESV Strong's)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
1 Timothy 6:8 (ESV Strong's)
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
The writer of Hebrews said it this way:
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV Strong's)
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Contentment is far better gain than accumulation. The end of all things is to be satisfied in Christ and allow His pleasures to overwhelm us with eternal joy:
Psalms 16:8-11 (ESV Strong's)
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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