I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
    or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
    there is nothing left for them to inherit.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
    that they can carry in their hands.

This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,
    and what do they gain,
    since they toil for the wind?
All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

Ecclesiasties 5:13-19

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Philippians 4:10-14

God has given you one life, one moment after the other. Don’t live it waiting for a better one. We only have the time and circumstances we have in any given moment. Once they are spent worrying about the future or in angst over the past, they are gone and never to be recovered.

We should instead turn from our own intangible troubles, outside of the present moment, and look to the hurting people here and now. They are our mission and our purpose. Like the Philippian church cared for Paul, they can be the focus of all our concern that would otherwise turn inward. And if they too gain the perspective of Paul, they can learn our secret: the strength that comes from Jesus, the source of our contentment.

Ethan Kirl