Recently after a long day of work out in the yard, I woke up the next morning to some hurting hands. Evidently it takes different muscles to work in the yard than normal pastor stuff. They hurt.
The Bible writers often talked about our hands. Sometimes, similar to me the other morning, our hands actually are on our minds. Since the beginning of COVID-19, with all the increased encouragement to constantly wash hands, they probably have been increasingly a part of every person’s mental awareness. But in the normal order of living, usually our hands bless us when they work but do not actually grab our attention.
I was reminded while reading in Ecclesiastes this week once again how often the Bible-writers refer to our hands. In the text, the wisest man who ever lived brought to mind the importance to consider my hands. I think you’ll be challenged as well.
Your Hands Are Connected to Your Heart
Solomon writes the following:
5 The fool folds his hands
And consumes his own flesh.
6 Better a handful with quietness
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind (Eccl 4:5-6).
Notice how Solomon uses the hands to help us consider our hearts.
- For the fool, his hands are folded. This simply means that the foolish person is lazy, does no work, and brings himself to ruin. If therefore your hands are folded or lazy, it points to a heart of laziness.
- For the one with full hands, Solomon references the hard work to keep them full. He refers to the toil and grasping after the wind. Think about his reference for a moment. If you were to try to capture the wind with your hands, you would be full of aggravation, frustration, and fatigue. The talk to control the wind with one’s hands is fruitless. In this text, he says that seeking to keep both hands full of stuff brings about a hard life – even though your hands are full.
- For the one who has a handful with quietness, this person is better off. What does he mean? Solomon here refers to someone who has a little in both hands and peace in his heart. The heart is quiet because it does not seek to make both hands full. The worker can enjoy rest. The heart is satisfied.
Contentment Matters
The editors of the NET Notes provide the following syntax note:
Qoheleth lists three approaches to labor: (1) the competitive workaholic in 4:4, (2) the impoverished sluggard in 4:5, and (3) the contented laborer in 4:6. The balanced approach rebukes the two extremes.
The balanced approach – that’s the key!
What helps you keep a handful with quietness and remain in balance? Again, it is the heart.
I often define contentment as being satisfied with what I have in the present as a reflection of God’s providential plan in my life. God graciously, lovingly, wisely, and faithfully works for our good. He is covenant faithful. He can be trusted.
Therefore…
- Trust God with your present and your future. Contentment begins with trusting God. As Solomon also wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight (Prov 3:5). Trust God. He knows and cares for you. Nothing you have or do not have is separate from His loving concern. In fact, the author of Hebrews reminds us that we can be content because God is with us (Heb 13:5-6; cf., Luke 12:22-31; Phil 4:11-13).
- Work diligently but as a satisfied person with God in Christ. Keep your hands busy. Part of honoring the Lord includes a robust work ethic and practice. Work produces much greater happiness and satisfaction though when it flows out of a contented heart.
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