Enjoy what God has blessed you with

eBible image of Ecclesiastes 6:9-10
eBible image of Ecclesiastes 6:9-10

I was listening to K-Love on my way home from work. I heard them talk about a verse with wisdom and energy. I went to verse I thought I heard them mention. But instead came across these verses instead. After reading them I felt that God wanted me to share these verses in Ecclesiastes 6:9-10 New Living Translation.

9. Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless – like chasing the wind. 10. Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.

I took a screen sheet shot from a phone using the eBible app and highlighted those two verses. I used the graphic as the graphic for this post. After posting this, I now recommend Bible Gateway App. It is a good way to always have the Bible with you. You can even look up words and it shows you passages with those words. Bible Gateway is available for both Android and iOS (I am sure other operating systems of smart phones).

God gives us what we need

God gives us what we need to live. God is our provider. We can ask for more, yes, but God will only give us what he knows we need. Nothing more and nothing less. God decided what everyone needed way before we even came into being. It is not wise to argue with God. Yes, it may seem others are more blessed with stuff then others, but aren’t we also to give to those less fortunate than us? Besides it also tells us to lay our treasures in Heaven, not of this world. (Matthew 6:10 & Matthew 6:19-20) Even 2 Peter 1:3 New King James (shown below) tells that God gives us everything we need to benefit the knowledge of Christ. I know first hand that God provides for us being a single father with custody of my daughter. He always sees us through and gives us what we need.

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

Philippians 4:19 New King James Version (shown below) also shares that what we get is from God and for the glory of his son, Jesus Christ.

 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now I am not saying we still don’t go to God for our needs, because He is there for us like that. It is just saying we shouldn’t ask for wants. Only our needs. There is a difference  between a Need and a Want!

God gives abundantly

God also gives us enough and often abundantly. In excessive. When he does this, His purpose is not for us to hoard it and keep it to ourselves, but to share it with others. Give unto others. Giving makes you feel good. Do you remember the last time you just upped and gave something to someone for no reason? How did it make you feel? Check out what 2 Corinthians 9:8 says.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

I like how the New Living Translation shows the save above verse from 2 Corinthians 9:8

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

What are Needs?

Are those things that we must have to live daily to God’s word and divine plan. So gain knowledge in Christ. Grow in Christ. Spread the Word in Christ. These are stuff to help us live doing God’s purpose. I am sure food, shelter and clothing are among these. Even types of witnessing tools and usage to witness. These basically are must haves to live.

What are Wants?

Are those things that we desire to have or wish we could have. These are things we can live without. We don’t really need these things. These are things that mostly won’t help us in God purpose for us. We will never benefit with wants, they won’t allow for God’s purpose in our life. We may think it could, but it isn’t the destiny that God has for us on that. These usually are stuff we desire to have but we are not a must have to live.

In Closing

We should always accept what God gives us with a grateful heart. Never be upset about what you have or not have. Do not covet what others have. That is one of the ten commandments found in Exodus 20:17. (shown below) Stop dreaming about that you don’t have and focus on God’s purpose, saving souls and winning other’s to Jesus. God has already chose what He wants for you. Be happy with it. Use what you have to benefit the glory of His Son, Jesus.

 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Discussion

Share with me your thoughts. How do you use what you have to glorify God? Do you have access and share?


First published March 14, 2013. Republished with additions and edits on August 19, 2015.

About the Author

Author: Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

2 thoughts on “Enjoy what God has blessed you with

  1. Nice piece! Yes we all need to learn to enjoy what we have. In other words learn to be content. But I specifically like your closing about how are we choosing to bless others with what we have. By the way your reference to 2 Peter 1:13 really should be 2 Peter 1:3. Thanks for sharing.

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