Ecclesiastes 6 · Grade 5
Contentment
Read and Think
Chapter 6 is short but heavy. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men: a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. The Preacher shows that possessions cannot guarantee joy; enjoyment itself is God's gift, as chapter 5 said.
Long life does not solve the problem. Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don't all go to one place? All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? The answer to restless desire is contentment: Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire.
The chapter closes with two questions that the Preacher cannot answer under the sun: For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? The Bible's answer is that God knows. In the New Testament, Paul writes, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it (Philippians 4:11).
Show What You Know
Who eats the man's riches?
What did chapter 5 call enjoyment?
What is not filled?
What is the answer to restless desire?
What has Paul learned?
Crossword
Across
- and yet the ____ is not filled
- All the labor of man is for his ____
Down
- its ____ was given long ago
- which he spends like a ____
- Better is the ____ of the eyes than the wandering of the desire
Think About It
Possessions cannot guarantee joy. Where have you seen that having more did not make someone happier?
Paul learned to be content. What is one step you can take to grow in contentment?
Memory Verse
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.”
Ecclesiastes 6:9 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for the good things I have. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you find joy in each day God gives you?
- How can you be thankful for what you already have?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.