The Giver Over the Gift

“The Giver Over the Gift”

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

[19] And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. [20] God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

Good morning Ekklesia Family

A man once held tightly to a beautiful watch—a gift from his late father. Every day, he checked it, polished it, admired it. But one day, in reflection, he whispered, “It’s not the watch I miss—it’s the man who gave it to me.” And in that moment, he realized the true treasure wasn’t the possession, but the presence of the giver.

The author of Ecclesiastes—likely Solomon—reminds us that both wealth and the capacity to enjoy it are gifts from God. The Hebrew word used for “gift” (mattanah) implies a divine bestowal—something unearned, something given out of love. Verse 19 highlights that the joy of life does not flow from the things we possess, but from God, who grants us the perspective to enjoy them.

Verse 20 reveals a powerful truth: “God keeps such people so busy enjoying life...”—which means when our focus is on the Giver, we are spared the torment of regret and the anxiety of gain. The joy of the Lord becomes our daily strength, not our material status.

You may not have everything you want—but in Christ, you have everything you need. The car, the house, the job, the little or the lot—they're not the source of joy. God is. Shift your focus from stuff to the Sustainer. When we hold our possessions with open hands, God fills them with lasting purpose.

Choose contentment. Celebrate every good thing—your breath, your mind, your moments—not as yours, but as His gifts. And every time you see them, let it remind you: God has not forgotten you. He’s blessing you now.

Lord, I surrender my obsession with more, with “next,” with “not enough.” Teach me to see Your hand in what I already have. Let joy rise not from possessions but from Your presence. Help me delight in the work You’ve given me and trust that You, the Giver of every good gift, are all I need. Fill my heart with gratitude and my spirit with contentment. Amen.

At Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries, we believe in lifting up Christ and living in the abundance of His love, grace, and truth. If you're ready to focus more on the Giver than the gift—to live a life rooted in purpose, joy, and eternal perspective—we invite you to walk with Jesus today.Connect with us at ekklesiachristianlife.org and discover how contentment in Christ can change your life—forever.

Remember: What you have may be temporary, but Who you have in Jesus is eternal.

LoveUmorethanUknow

Pastor Stephän Kirby