Key Bible Verse: They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile (Ecclesiastes 4:6). Bonus Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:9-4:6

A hard-driving, type-A corporate attorney saw a commercial fisherman he knew from church one afternoon, legs dangling off the pier as he helped his two young sons catch crabs. "Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked.

"Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman.

"Why don't you catch more fish than you need?"

"What would I do with them?" replied the fisherman.

"You could earn more money and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. Then you could buy a fleet of boats. Soon you'd be rich like me."

"What would I do then?"

"Then you could sit down and really enjoy life."

"What do you think I'm doing now?" he asked.

This is not an argument for indolence but a call for balanced living. The wise person realizes that his career is not the measure of his self-worth, that having more money can't replace the joy of spending time with people he loves.

Contentment means that you have everything you need right now. If you needed more, God would give it to you. When you want what you already have, you've discovered the rare jewel of contentment.

—Ray Pritchard in Something New Under the Sun

My Response: Do I agree that I already have all I need for the present moment?

Thought to Apply: Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants.—EPICTETUS

Adapted from Something New Under the Sun (Moody, 1998) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Jesus, fill me with the abundant life promised in Your Word. Give me Your wisdom to live right.

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