There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough. So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. [Ecclesiastes 6:7-9]
As I listen to the Teacher reflect on life, a sense of heaviness sets in.
What are we wasting our time on?
Are the things we are running after so important?
All of those things that we asked for and got, was it satisfying, was it worth it?
The Teacher is showing how unsatisfying things in this life can be, and that no matter what we aim for, no matter what we put our hope in (“if only I had this” or “if only I was that”), it will disappoint.
The Teacher is advocating contentment over worrying and striving to get ahead.

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? [Matthew 6:25-27]
Jesus echoes the thinking of the Teacher, He also exposes the folly of trying to find happiness and joy in things.
Am I content, am I confident in the Lord’s provision and purpose?
Do I trust my Father in heaven, no matter whether life goes easy or hard for me?
The missionary Paul says it this way: I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 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. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. [Philippians 4:11-13]
In every situation, enjoying what I have rather than desiring what I don’t have.

Both the Teacher and Jesus are warning against an unhealthy kind of dreaming and desire, the kind that looks to things for hope, peace or happiness.
They are not speaking against godly dreams and desires, a longing for the world as it ought to be.
There is a sense that we will be discontent for the rest of our lives, as long as we remain on this side of Christ’s return and full restoration of God’s creation kingdom.
We must continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness, we must keep on seeking the kingdom first.
Godly dreams and desire focus on God and His will and purpose, not on things and possessions and experiences.
This is where Jesus urges us to focus: So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6:31-33]

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to be content with what I need to be content with, yet discontented in regards to the things I need to be discontented with. I need Your help to get this straight!