Podcasts about Ecclesiastes

Trust today that your steps are being established by the Lord. When it's time to take the next step, God will it clear. As you wait, believe that even though the waiting may not make sense, God's will is being performed in your life. His will, His plan, and His timing is perfect.Main Points:1. God is never early, never late, but he's always on time. Our timing isn't God's timing. For us, God's timing often feels like a long, desperate delay.2. I'm struck with how many verses there are in the Bible that talk about waiting on God. One Bible scholar has found that the word “wait” is in the Bible 154 times. That is a lot of waiting. I don't know about you, but I don't particularly enjoy waiting. Yet, if God makes us wait, there is a reason. There is something to be learned in the waiting and I don't want to miss the lesson.3. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in the life of the believer. One of his purposes is to bring guidance and direction to our lives. He is faithful to lead us to God's plan, but He can also be trusted to guide us to God's timing.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 31:15 -  "My times are in Your hands ..."Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time.”Proverbs 16:9  - “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

What if one of the clearest signs of generosity isn't simply how much we give, but how deeply we desire to participate?In 2 Corinthians 8, the apostle Paul describes a group of believers whose generosity was remarkable—not because they had abundant resources, but because they were eager to give even amid significant hardship.Their example shows us what happens when grace transforms the heart.Generosity in the Midst of HardshipPaul is writing to encourage the church in Corinth to participate in a collection for believers in Jerusalem who were experiencing severe need. To encourage them, he points to the churches of Macedonia.But the Macedonians weren't wealthy benefactors with plenty to spare. Paul writes:“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.” - 2 Corinthians 8:1–4Paul describes their circumstances in striking terms: severe affliction and extreme poverty. Yet alongside those circumstances was an “abundance of joy,” and somehow the combination overflowed into generosity.Perhaps the most surprising detail is that they begged to give.Paul wasn't begging them for money. They were asking Paul for the privilege of participating.From Obligation to OpportunityThat posture can feel unfamiliar. Even within the church, giving can easily begin to feel like another financial obligation—a bill to pay, a percentage to calculate, or a requirement to satisfy. The question becomes, “How much am I supposed to give?”The Macedonians appear to be asking a very different question: How can we be part of this?They knew their brothers and sisters were suffering, and they didn't want their own difficult circumstances to prevent them from participating in their care.Paul tells us where that desire came from. He begins the passage not by praising the impressive generosity of the Macedonians, but by saying, “We want you to know…about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia.”Their generosity was evidence of God's grace at work in them. Verse 5 takes us even deeper: “They gave themselves first to the Lord.”That came before the money. Before offering their resources, they had entrusted themselves to God.Grace Changes What We TreasureWhen we understand that we belong to Christ and that everything we have ultimately comes from His hand, generosity looks different. It becomes less about losing something and more about participating in what God is doing.That doesn't mean Scripture calls Christians to give recklessly or neglect legitimate responsibilities. Paul provides important balance later in the same chapter:“For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” - 2 Corinthians 8:12Paul continues by explaining that his goal is not for some believers to be relieved while others are left burdened. Rather, he describes a kind of mutual care in which one person's abundance can meet another person's need.So the point of the Macedonians' example is not that everyone should give beyond what they can responsibly afford. The deeper lesson is about the posture of the heart.Do I primarily see generosity as something being taken from me, or as an opportunity God may be placing before me?When I encounter someone in need, is my first instinct to protect what is mine, or am I willing to ask whether God has entrusted me with something I can share?The Macedonians' circumstances were difficult, but grace had reshaped what they valued.The Greater Example of GenerosityUltimately, Paul doesn't leave our attention on Macedonia. He points us to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says:“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”That is the foundation of Christian generosity. We don't give in order to earn God's favor. We give because, in Christ, we have already received grace beyond measure.And when that grace captures our hearts, generosity begins to change.It becomes more than something we have to do. It becomes something we're grateful to get to do.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have about $36,000 in student loan debt at 9%, and after decades of repayment I feel like I'm barely making progress. Would paying every two weeks help, and should I consider using home equity to pay it off?I have a whole life policy with a term rider I didn't realize was included. Should I remove the rider, keep it until it expires, or redirect that money into the whole life policy instead?I'm selling my home for less than I originally paid, but the buyer wants the contract price listed higher to cover closing costs. How would that affect my taxes, and could any gain impact my Social Security?My husband and I own our home, and I want my daughter to inherit it without unnecessary difficulty. What's the best way to structure that?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerFaithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A driver unwilling to wait a few minutes for a train to pass tried to race across the tracks and did not make it. Those few minutes cost him his life. It is a stark and sobering picture, but it opens a question worth sitting with: how seriously do we take the minutes we are given? We tend to think that five minutes here and ten minutes there are too small to matter. But five becomes ten, ten becomes twenty, and before long a habit has formed — and a habit becomes a lifestyle. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to be very careful how we live, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. That is not a call to frantic productivity or the elimination of rest. God did not create us to labor without ceasing, and Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. A guilt-free nap can be time well spent. The point is not that every minute must be filled with output — it is that every minute belongs to God and is a gift from Him, deserving of intentional stewardship. The minutes we invest in our relationship with God, our marriages, our children, and our obedience to His promptings are never wasted. And the moments when we ignore His leading — even by just a few minutes — can carry consequences we did not anticipate. Our minutes matter to God. And because they matter to Him, they should matter to us. Today's Bible Verse "Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."— Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV Ponder Today Minutes matter more than we realize — and small habits compound over time. Five minutes spent one way becomes ten, then twenty, then a lifestyle. What we do with our smallest units of time shapes who we are becoming over the long run. Faithful stewardship of time includes rest, not just productivity. God did not design us to labor without ceasing. A nap, a quiet moment, a pause in the day — these are not wastes of time when received as gifts from the One who ordained rest as part of His design. Our relationship with God suffers when we fail to invest time in it. Just as a marriage grows distant when couples stop making time for each other, our walk with God weakens when we crowd out the minutes that belong to Him. Obedience sometimes comes down to a matter of minutes. Lot's wife, a canceled flight to Haiti, a split-second decision at a railroad crossing — history, both sacred and ordinary, is full of moments where a few minutes of faithfulness or impatience changed everything. Every minute is a gift from God and belongs to Him. That is not a burden — it is a perspective shift. When we hold our time as something entrusted to us rather than owned by us, the way we spend it changes. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, because every minute is precious and every one of them is a gift from You, may we learn to mind our minutes and make the most of every one we have, for Your glory and honor. In Your precious name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It's Sukkot, 5787, 2026. Time to read the 'Megilla', Scroll of Ecclesiastes! It is time to rejoice! Welcome to Daily Bread for Busy Moms, a daily Bible reading podcast from Israel. Each day, we journey through the Scriptures together by following the weekly Torah portion one section at a time, along with readings from the Prophets, Writings, and Apostolic Scriptures. In just one year, you'll read through the Bible while following the biblical calendar and feast cycle. As we approach the beginning of a new reading year on Simchat Torah, we're excited to announce that the brand-new Daily Bread Journal is now available! Every year, a completely new journal is created for the upcoming reading cycle, and this year's journal will guide us through the Scriptures beginning October 4. The Daily Bread podcast follows the journal's unique reading plan, making the journal the perfect companion for your daily Bible reading journey. If you've been listening along and would like a place to record prayers, take notes, and follow the readings throughout the year, now is the perfect time to reserve your copy.

What will you leave to the next generation—and will they be prepared to steward it well?A faithful wealth transfer involves more than deciding who gets what. It means thinking carefully about the people who will receive those resources and whether they have the wisdom, maturity, and spiritual foundation to handle them faithfully.Dr. Kelly Rush, Professor of Finance, Financial Planning Program Coordinator, and Chair of Business and Technology at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, points to David and Solomon as a compelling biblical example. Rush, who also serves on the board of Kingdom Advisors, says David did more than accumulate resources for his son. He prepared Solomon for both great wealth and great responsibility.David knew Solomon would eventually build the temple in Jerusalem. So before transferring tremendous resources, David helped prepare his son for the work ahead.His example offers families four important principles for thinking about wealth transfer today.1. Pursue Unity Before Making a PlanThe first principle is unity: husbands and wives should agree on their plans for transferring wealth.We see this in 1 Kings 1. As David neared the end of his life, his son Adonijah attempted to establish himself as king. Bathsheba approached David and reminded him of the commitment concerning Solomon. David acted, and Solomon was publicly established as his successor.For families today, the circumstances are obviously very different, but the underlying principle remains valuable. Parents should work toward a shared vision for what they hope their wealth will accomplish and how it will eventually be distributed.That unity can clarify the plan for the entire family. Children and other heirs are less likely to receive conflicting messages when parents have already worked through difficult questions together.Before asking, “How much should we leave?” couples may need to begin with a more fundamental question: “Are we united about what we hope this wealth will accomplish?”2. Transfer Wisdom Before WealthAssets will eventually change hands. The larger question is whether wisdom will accompany them.David understood that Solomon needed more than resources. He needed spiritual and practical preparation.David prayed that God would give Solomon wisdom and understanding, and he personally instructed his son to know the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. He also gave Solomon detailed plans for the temple and prepared him for the responsibilities he would inherit.In other words, David did not simply leave Solomon a fortune and expect him to figure things out.Parents today have a similar opportunity. Children and grandchildren can be taught biblical principles of stewardship alongside practical financial skills such as budgeting, saving, giving, investing, and making wise decisions.The goal is not merely to prepare assets for heirs. It is to prepare heirs for assets.That preparation may begin long before an inheritance is in view. Younger children can learn to manage small amounts of money and decide how to give. Teenagers can take on greater financial responsibilities. Adult children can increasingly participate in conversations about family resources, generosity, and long-term plans.Wealth without wisdom can create significant challenges. But when wisdom comes first, financial resources can become another tool the next generation is prepared to steward faithfully.3. Consider Readiness, Not Just AgeDavid recognized something important about Solomon: he was “young and inexperienced” (1 Chronicles 22:5).So David prepared him gradually. He imparted wisdom. He supplied practical plans and instructions. Eventually, Solomon received the resources he needed.Families today can also think carefully about both the timing and amount of wealth they transfer.No universal age marks when someone suddenly becomes ready for significant financial responsibility. Parents should consider an heir's spiritual, emotional, and financial maturity rather than relying on age alone.Where gaps exist, they can become opportunities for further preparation.That may mean gradually increasing responsibility over time. In some situations, families may use joint accounts while younger heirs learn to manage money. For larger inheritances, trusts or trustee oversight may provide both protection and an opportunity for continued growth in stewardship.Communication is also essential. Heirs should not necessarily be surprised by a family's wealth-transfer plan after a parent dies. Appropriate conversations ahead of time can allow children to understand their parents' intentions, ask questions, seek wisdom, and prepare for future responsibility.And those plans do not have to remain static. As children mature and circumstances change, parents can revisit their plans accordingly.4. Give Wealth a Purpose Beyond YourselfDavid accumulated extraordinary resources for the temple, drawing from both Israel's treasury and his personal wealth.Yet David would never build it himself. God had given that responsibility to Solomon.David could have looked at that limitation and decided the project was no longer his concern. Instead, he prepared extensively for something another generation would complete.That offers an important perspective on stewardship. We cannot take our possessions with us when we die, but we can thoughtfully use them while we are here in ways that bless others and support work that continues beyond our lifetime.For families, that may include making generosity part of family life now rather than waiting until an estate is distributed.Parents might invite children into giving decisions, support ministries together, or develop a family mission statement that expresses the values they hope will continue into future generations. Some families may also incorporate charitable gifts or trusts into their estate plans.The specific tools will vary. The deeper goal is to cultivate a family culture in which wealth is understood as something God entrusted, not merely something to consume or accumulate.Use Financial Resources to Build Something GreaterRush has seen this principle at work in her own family. She and her husband have used financial resources to take their children on family mission trips, giving them opportunities to serve together and learn to share the gospel.Those experiences illustrate an important possibility: financial capital can sometimes develop something far more important—spiritual maturity, relationships, wisdom, and a vision for serving others.For parents, that raises a worthwhile question: How might the resources God has entrusted to us today help prepare the people who may steward them tomorrow?The answer will look different for every family. But the biblical pattern reminds us that wealth transfer is not simply an estate-planning event at the end of life. It is an ongoing process of teaching, communicating, preparing, and modeling faithful stewardship.David prepared resources for Solomon, but he also prepared Solomon for the resources. That may be one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My bank is being acquired, and the new bank has limited in-network ATM access when I travel. I'm considering switching to an online bank with a larger nationwide ATM network. What should I look for?I'm 40 and have three old 401(k)s from previous employers. Some advisors suggest consolidating them into one account with expected returns around 8% to 10%, while another is proposing a hedge fund targeting 15% to 17%. How should I evaluate these options?My daughter is in her 50s and currently incarcerated. When she comes home, she'll have no income, no car, and significant credit card debt, though she owns her home outright. Should she consider bankruptcy, and what's the best way to address her debts?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerNerdWallet | BankrateAdelFi Christian BankingAlly | Charles Schwab Bank | SoFi | Alliant Credit Union | AxosFaithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ecclesiastes 5

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill, we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

Success, by secular standards, can't satisfy us. We need to have higher aspirations than accumulating material wealth, pleasure, or other measures of earthly accomplishment. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses what King Solomon and the book of Proverbs have to say about living a successful life. King Solomon was one of the richest men in history, yet he wrote in Ecclesiastes that all his wealth and life experiences were worth nothing. Pastor Allen explains the real measurements of success we should be looking for in our lives, and he explores why we can trust God—and why we should aim to be people God can trust. Proverbs tells us the voice of folly is loud, so let's train our ears to hear wisdom when she speaks.

“A living dog is better than a dead lion.” — Ecclesiastes 9:4 Life is a precious thing, and in its humblest form it is superior to death. This truth is eminently certain in spiritual things. It is better to be the least in the kingdom of heaven than the greatest out of it. The lowest […]

Not every season of life makes sense while you’re living through it. Today on BOLD STEPS, Mark Jobe cracks open Ecclesiastes chapter 3 with a look at the common ways we resist the chapter we’re actually in … obsessing over the future, or isolating ourselves from the people who could help. Find a better way to walk through your current chapter … listen to Bold Steps with Pastor Mark Jobe. Bold Steps Gift: The Church In Babylon: Heeding the Call to Be a Light in the Darkness - Erwin Lutzer and Ed Stetzer Visit or watch Mark Jobe at New Life Community ChurchBecome a Bold Partner: https://www.moodyradio.org/donateto/boldstepsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christians often think about stewardship in terms of giving, saving, and spending. But if God owns everything He has entrusted to us, stewardship also raises another question: What about the companies we own through our investments?Harry Pearson, Founder and CEO of OneAscent, says that question became increasingly important in his own journey of faith and finance. OneAscent is a family of companies that equips advisors and investors with faith-aligned solutions for planning, investing, and giving.For Pearson, connecting biblical convictions with investing began with a broader realization: Faith should shape every part of our financial lives.Connecting Faith With the Rest of Our FinancesPearson grew up in a home where generosity was modeled well. His parents taught him to tithe from an early age. For every dollar he earned, he put a dime in the offering plate.What he had not learned, however, was how to connect his faith with the rest of his financial life.That began to change about 18 years ago when he attended his first Kingdom Advisors Conference. Pearson remembers arriving somewhat resistant, but the experience challenged him to consider what it would look like to align his work with the faith God had already planted in his heart.Colossians 3:23 became an important lens: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”That principle extends beyond our occupations. If everything belongs to God, then our time, abilities, and financial resources are all things we manage on His behalf.The question becomes not simply, “What do I want to do with what I have?” but, “How can I faithfully steward what God has entrusted to me?”Passing Along Values, Not Just ValuablesThat perspective also changes the way we think about leaving a legacy.Families often devote significant attention to the valuables they hope to leave the next generation—homes, savings, investments, and other assets. Pearson believes Christians should give just as much attention to the values they are passing along.Rather than focusing only on leaving a legacy, he encourages families to think about living one.Children often learn stewardship less from formal lessons than from what they regularly observe. They see how their parents talk about money, respond to financial pressure, practice generosity, and decide what matters most.That gives parents an opportunity to invite their children into the stewardship process.Let them see generosity practiced. Allow them to participate in serving others. Talk with them about why your family chooses to support particular ministries or causes. Those conversations can help the next generation understand not merely what the family owns, but why it uses money the way it does.After all, preparing the next steward is about more than transferring assets. It is about cultivating wisdom and faithfulness in the person who may one day receive them.Do You Know What You Own?The same stewardship framework applies to investing.Many investors purchase mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or other investments without knowing much about the individual companies they indirectly own. Pearson believes that is worth examining.If God is the ultimate owner of our resources, Christians can thoughtfully consider whether the businesses in their portfolios align with their biblical convictions.That begins with a simple question: Do you know what you own?For some investors, looking beneath the surface of a portfolio may reveal companies or business activities they would not knowingly choose to support. That realization has helped drive the growth of faith-based and values-aligned investing.At OneAscent, Pearson says the investment process includes three broad steps: eliminating companies whose activities conflict with certain biblical convictions, carefully evaluating the remaining investment opportunities, and seeking businesses that are making a positive contribution through the products and services they provide.The goal is not merely to avoid certain companies. It is to think more intentionally about what ownership means and how investment capital is being used.Can Values-Aligned Investing Be Financially Responsible?One concern surrounding faith-based investing has historically been whether applying values to a portfolio necessarily requires sacrificing investment performance.Pearson says the field has developed considerably over the past decade. There are now longer track records, more investment options, and increasingly sophisticated approaches to portfolio construction.But he has also come to appreciate that values-aligned investing is not only about selecting investments. It can also influence investor behavior.When investors consider their principles before markets become volatile, they may be better prepared to stay disciplined when uncertainty arrives. Rather than making emotional decisions in the moment, they can return to an investment philosophy they have already thoughtfully established.For Christians, that provides another opportunity to move from simply knowing what they believe to putting those beliefs into practice.Bringing Stewardship Into the PortfolioFaithful stewardship touches far more than the offering plate. It shapes how we earn, spend, save, give, plan, and prepare the next generation. And for Christians who own investments, it can also shape the way they think about the businesses represented in their portfolios.That does not mean every Christian will make identical investment decisions. But it does mean we can approach investing prayerfully and thoughtfully, remembering that the resources under our care ultimately belong to God.OneAscent helps advisors and investors explore how their financial lives and investments align with their biblical values, including through a portfolio analysis.To learn more, visit OneAscent.com/FaithFi.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'll turn 65 in January and am considering disability because my school job is becoming harder to manage. Should I use my employer's short-term disability benefit, apply for Social Security Disability, or both? And when should I start the process?My credit scores are consistently above 800, but a bank recently showed a score of 780 when evaluating me for a HELOC. Why can the scores lenders use differ so much from the scores consumers see?My husband recently passed away, and I received about $50,000 in life insurance proceeds. I'd like to keep roughly half as an emergency fund and invest the other $25,000. I'm 59, working full-time, have only a car payment and a 3.87% mortgage, and may also receive VA survivor benefits. How should I think about using and investing this money?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerOneAscentWise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More by Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan, JD. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)Christian Credit CounselorsFaithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you been waiting for life to settle down before you start decluttering or caring for your home? Maybe there's a room you keep shutting the door on, and you think, "Why start now? I don't even know what's coming next." In this Christian devotional, we walk through Jeremiah 32 in the KJV. Jerusalem was under siege. Jeremiah was a prisoner. And God told him to buy a field. He bought it, signed the deed, and preserved the documents. Then he brought his confusion to the Lord. God's answer is our anchor passage, Jeremiah 32:26–27: "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" I share how this passage spoke to me when I was surrounded by clutter, unfinished home projects, and too many commitments. We talk about God's sovereignty, faith that acts before sight, and the temptation to let everyday responsibilities slide while we wait for a bigger answer. Jeremiah 32 is God's promise to restore His people to their land, not a promise about our circumstances. But Jeremiah's response shows us what obedience can look like in our homes and spiritual lives, even when we still have questions. For reflection: Where are you waiting for your circumstances to change before you start tending to what God has put in your care? Scriptures in this episode: Jeremiah 32:1–44; Jeremiah 37:11–21; Leviticus 25:25; Ecclesiastes 11:4; Luke 16:10; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 1:13–14; Hebrews 11:1; Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37 Join the fall decluttering challenge: Five Rooms, Five Things, Five Prayers. October 26. Email info@organizewithkristina.com with the word "challenge" to be added to the list.

Friendship and companionship give purpose to labor and sustain people in work and grief. We discuss why we have missed a few weeks of the podcast, and we catch back up with Will Rose on how his Sabbatical went! Pastor Will draws on Ecclesiastes to argue that two are better than one and that friendship enriches vocation and productivity. He describes his sabbatical, its rest and reflection, and the way discernment guides where he spends his energy. Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell probe practical church logistics, volunteer roles, and the unseen work that keeps worship and community life functioning. The hosts and guest emphasize healthy boundaries, the value of shared ministry, and simple practices—such as reflecting on the altar and who gathers there—to foster unity and resilience. Will Rose frames the central meditation on vocation and rest with a reading from Ecclesiastes and a sustained account of his recent sabbatical. He describes deliberate time for reading, travel, family, and study. He reports progress on a book that unites surf culture with theology. The speaker situates sabbatical as a disciplined, communal practice. He explains its roots in Sabbath and jubilee traditions and its role in preventing burnout. He states that the work of ministry requires periodic renewal so that one may continue to serve with clarity and care. Joshua Noel and TJ Blackwell respond with questions and reflections that surface the tensions of modern ministry. They probe how one balances obligations to family, congregation, and personal projects. A recurrent theme is the necessity of discernment. The trio converge on the idea that vocation is a pattern of gathering and sending. Will affirms that presiding at the altar and serving people remain his core calling. He names serenity, courage, and wisdom as guiding principles for future decisions.Takeaways:Pastor Rose explains the purpose and value of a sabbatical for pastoral renewal and life discernment.Will notes that friendship and companionship improve meaning and productivity in both labor and ministry.Joshua and TJ discuss practical church logistics, including parking lot maintenance, campus ministry access, and volunteer role distribution.Will reflects on balancing multiple vocational interests, such as podcasting, book writing, and parish duties, to avoid burnout.Pastor Will recommends reflective practice at worship by focusing on the altar and the congregation's continuity across generations.They all acknowledge grief and changing life seasons, urging acceptance, courage to change what is possible, and wisdom..You can leave a donation, buy podcast merchandise, check out previous series that we've done, or become an official member of The Whole Church Podcast on our website:https://the-whole-church-podcast-shop.fourthwall.com/.Check out all of the other shows in the Anazao Podcast Network and find merch to support some of your favorite podcasts on the network's website:https://anazao-podcasts-shop.fourthwall.com/.Listen to all of our Holy Logistics series here:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/0baf30ad-3ecd-47a9-bbb4-d67e61e1919e.Hear more of Will on Systematic Geekology, Your Matter Matters, and The Homily:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/4559ab55-4b6a-4432-b0a7-b61540df8803https://your-matter-matters.captivate.fm/listenhttps://the-homily-with-chill-will.captivate.fm/listen.Listen to more of TJ on Systematic Geekology:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/f4c32709-d8ff-4cef-8dfd-5775275c3c5e.Hear more from Joshua on his other podcast, Be Living Water:https://be-living-water.captivate.fm/listen.Be sure to come out and meet Joshua at Theology Beer Camp 2026 in Kansas City:https://theologybeer.camp/

Can we pursue wisdom as a life goal?All In Gospel Podcast is a chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in depth bible study where we seek to understand God's Word.All In Gospel is recorded live at Calvary Chapel with Pastor Seann Dikkers. You can support this study at anchor.fm/allingospel ⁠or ⁠https://all-in-gospel.com/

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill, we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

Ser Ulric, Coinicarus and HumbleWarrior are back with this weeks Bitcoin tonight, join us for an Awesome Chat!Topics for Bitcoin Tonight 042 - Sep 29✔️ Jurisdictional Arbitragehttps://x.com/Handre/status/2102680330347876414✔️ Summary of Socialismhttps://x.com/Handre/status/2104269775987740815✔️ Does AI Still Want My Bitcoin?https://x.com/MrHodl/status/2102732862508187650✔️ Chat GPT Calculatorhttps://x.com/nocondy/status/2103568956095443399✔️ $QNT Rug Pull Watchhttps://x.com/JanGold_/status/2103938087680082319✔️ Tristan Thompson's Blackrock Bitcoin Storyhttps://x.com/coinicarus/status/2103112274126795257✔️ Baby Boomer Experience Biashttps://x.com/0xdavecryps/status/2103204986976899178✔️ Simpsons Housing Indexhttps://x.com/ronin21btc/status/2104239757710516246✔️ Peter Thiel: Evil Is Goodhttps://x.com/trueonx/status/2103647750168461710✔️ Saylorism Framing Creephttps://x.com/SimonDixonTwitt/status/2104032381732532456https://x.com/BTCsessions/status/2087900638533353867✔️ Ecclesiastes 1:9https://x.com/michelleo_21mil/status/2104205976115040499https://x.com/kobiduran/status/1772109065847717997► Join Our telegram: https://t.me/theplebunderground#Bitcoin #crypto #cryptocurrency #dailybitcoinnews #memecoins The information provided by Pleb Underground ("we," "us," or "our") on Youtube.com (the "Site") our show is for general informational purposes only. All information on the show is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SHOW OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SHOW. YOUR USE OF THE SHOW AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SHOW IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Christians often say that God owns everything and that what we possess has simply been entrusted to our care. We apply that principle to our income, savings, investments, and giving. But we may treat another significant asset differently: the equity in our homes.Harlan Accola, who leads the reverse mortgage team at Movement Mortgage, joined the show today to discuss why homeowners—particularly those approaching or already in retirement—should consider home equity as part of their overall stewardship plan.Home Equity Is Still Part of Your WealthFor generations, many families have followed a familiar pattern: buy a home, pay off the mortgage, and eventually leave the house to their children.That goal is certainly not wrong. But Harlan says tradition can sometimes cause us to mentally separate home equity from the rest of our financial resources.“The home equity is wealth,” he explained.That does not mean every homeowner should borrow against a home's value. Rather, it means home equity deserves to be considered alongside retirement accounts, savings, investments, and other assets when evaluating the resources God has entrusted to us.That consideration has become increasingly important as home values have risen.Harlan pointed to research from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies showing that many older Americans have accumulated substantial equity in their homes. In some cases, homeowners may have more wealth tied up in their houses than they have available in retirement accounts and other liquid assets.That can create an unusual situation: someone may appear financially secure on paper while struggling to generate enough monthly cash flow for ordinary expenses.Should the House Always Be Left to the Children?Another common assumption is that parents should leave the family home to their children free and clear.Again, that can be a worthy goal. But Harlan encourages families to consider it within the broader purpose of stewardship.Scripture places tremendous emphasis on the spiritual legacy we leave behind—our faithfulness, wisdom, example, teaching, and love for God and others. Financial resources may certainly be part of an inheritance, but they are not the only inheritance that matters.That raises several important questions:Could some of the wealth stored in a home help meet legitimate retirement needs? Could it help provide for a surviving spouse? Could it reduce unnecessary financial pressure? Could it create opportunities for generosity while someone is still alive?Those questions do not automatically lead to the same answer for every family. The point is to prayerfully evaluate the home as part of the entire financial picture rather than assuming it must remain untouched simply because that has traditionally been the plan.In many families, adult children may also care far more about their parents having financial stability and appropriate care later in life than about preserving every dollar of home equity for an eventual inheritance.House Rich, but Cash-Flow PoorOwning substantial home equity does not necessarily mean retirement expenses are easy to manage. Harlan says he regularly encounters older homeowners with significant equity who nevertheless struggle to cover monthly expenses or unexpected repairs.He also noted that many older homeowners still carry mortgages well into retirement. When housing costs consume a large portion of a household's income, even someone with considerable home equity can experience financial strain.That distinction matters. A home may represent considerable net worth, but equity alone does not pay the electric bill, replace an air-conditioning system, cover healthcare expenses, or buy groceries.That is why you shouldn't evaluate home equity in isolation from the rest of a retirement plan.Start With Your Goals, Not a Financial ProductConsidering home equity does not mean immediately pursuing a reverse mortgage or any other particular strategy.In fact, Harlan recommends beginning somewhere else entirely. “Start with the big picture,” he said.Consider everything God has entrusted to you—your income, retirement savings, investments, home, other assets, obligations, needs, family circumstances, and goals.Then ask what those resources are meant to accomplish. A wise stewardship plan starts with the goals, not the financial product.For some homeowners, the best decision may be to leave their home equity untouched. For others, accessing some portion of it may become one tool among many to support retirement needs, care for a spouse, reduce financial pressure, or accomplish other important goals.Whatever the decision, the larger principle remains the same: our homes are not outside the boundaries of stewardship.They, too, are resources entrusted to us by God. The question is not simply, “How much equity do I have?” A better question may be, “How can I faithfully steward everything God has placed in my hands?”To learn more about the home-financing options available through Movement Mortgage, including reverse mortgages, visit FaithFi.com/Movement.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My sister passed away four years ago and left most of her assets to her daughter through transfer-on-death designations, but one bank account was left out. The balance is under $10,000, and the bank says it must go through probate. Is that correct, and how can we stop the account from losing money to inactivity fees?I'm 55, married, and we earn about $120,000 a year. After expenses, we have about $500 left each month, around $20,000 in a 401(k), and we're building a three-month emergency fund. What should we do with the extra $500?I'm working two jobs and earning about $20,000 to $25,000 a year while saving for a home. What mortgage rate should I be looking for, and how do I know whether a loan offer is affordable?I have a 5.25% mortgage, two higher-interest car loans, and a medical bill that will soon start charging high interest. I've been offered a consolidation refinance at about 6.25% that would combine everything into one payment. Would that be wise, or should I keep the debts separate?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerMovement MortgageMaster Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment by Ron Blue with Michael BlueFaithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who knows? | Wisdom and fear in the kingdoms of man. (8.1-9)This I know. | Fear before God the King. (8.10-13)This I commend. | Joy through the days of life. (8.14-15)Who knows? | Humility and the work of God. (8.16-17)

Christians seem odd. Our odd views are counter culture. However, let us respond to our critics in a way that counters their own cultural narrative about Christianity. What if the very thing you find concerning ends up offering you far more hope than you ever dared dream? How can answers to the challenge of critics counter the cultural narrative about us, and offer hope to all?The sermon today is titled "Which Life is Most Meaningful?," contrasting the meaning we create for ourselves and the meaning discovered in Christ. This sermon is the seventh installment in our series "Counter/Culture." The Scripture reading is from Ecclesiastes 5:7-17 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 27, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Satisfying Faith.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Timothy Keller, Making Sense of God, Chapter 3.Alistair Begg, "The Search for Meaning." Sermon.Thomas Nagel, What Does It All Mean?Bertrand Russell, "A Free Man's Worship."I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill, we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

We take a deeper look at the sacramental rite of Confession (or Absolution) breaking it into its component parts and explaining the theology and reasoning behind its development.Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series where we go in depth on books of the Bible. Ongoing season: Ecclesiastes. You will also gain access to the entire archive of Season 1: John, Season 2: Exodus, Season 3: Hebrews, Season 4: Ecclesiastes, and Season 5: RuthApply for Saint Paul's House of FormationEmail usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications Word & Table Episode Index

We are so used to having answers at our fingertips. My algorithm serves up what I want, and I don't have to sift through anything or discern it. Slowly, we lose the spiritual muscle it takes to actually wait on the Lord. This week in our series on discerning God's voice, we're talking about the patience that listening requires. If we aren't prepared to wait on the Lord, we risk taking matters into our own hands, or passively missing out on something rich God has for us. So we'll look at what active waiting is, why it's so hard, and what the disciples in Acts 1 teach us about living fully while we wait. What We Cover Almost all of us are waiting on something. We're waiting for a relationship to begin, for the next step in our career, for a diagnosis to clear, for grief to pass. But we don't have to wait passively. We can wait actively. Here's how I define it: active waiting is living in the present moment to the fullest, so we can actively look for signs of what's to come. It doesn't mean we stop existing or stop serving. That's the opposite of active waiting. In this episode, we talk about: Why waiting feels so vulnerable. It makes us face how little control we actually have, and it puts us in a position of surrender. Jesus's last words before His ascension. His command was to wait, along with clear marching orders to be His witnesses. How the disciples stayed active in the waiting. They prayed, gathered, made decisions together, and rejoiced until the Holy Spirit came. Why none of us are in a waiting room. Whether you're in a season of active service or a season where you have to trust and rely on your relationship with God, you have a role to play in the kingdom. The question I hear so often: Should I keep asking God for the answer? If asking brings you into deeper alignment with Him, keep asking. But if it makes you more impatient and self-absorbed, stop asking and start serving. God has not forgotten you or your request. This is the day the Lord has made. Even without the answer, you can rejoice and be glad in it, and trust that He has heard your prayer. Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 5:3, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 38:15, Psalm 130:5, Psalm 118:24, Psalm 37:4, Acts 1:3–11, Ecclesiastes 3:1 Want More? Grab the free decision-making guide: nicoleunice.com/decisions Book mentioned: Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life by Henri Nouwen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We strive to work smarter and harder, looking to our careers for identity and purpose, but work was never meant to bear that weight. What does it look like to receive work as a gift from God? Pastor Jeremy Treat continues our series through Ecclesiastes with a sermon from Ecclesiastes 2:12-26.

Women are gaining more financial influence than ever before. But for Christian women, the bigger question isn't simply how much wealth they will control. It's what they will do with what God has placed in their hands.Pam Pugh, Co-Founder of Women Doing Well and President of VirtuAssets Foundation, has spent years helping individuals and families think about how to use their assets virtuously. She believes women are entering a significant season of financial stewardship—one shaped by greater earning power, longer life expectancies, entrepreneurship, and an enormous transfer of wealth.Those changes create opportunities, but they also call for preparation. For Christian women especially, growing economic influence offers an opportunity to prayerfully consider how their resources can serve God's purposes and the good of others.Four Shifts Reshaping Women's Financial InfluencePugh points to four significant shifts taking place in the financial landscape.The first is education and earning power. Women now represent 62% of college graduates and earn more than half of all doctorate degrees. Four in 10 physicians and attorneys are women, and among women ages 25 to 54, 78% work outside the home. Women also make the vast majority of consumer purchasing decisions, giving them significant influence not only through what they earn but also through how they spend.The second shift is longevity. Because women generally live longer than men, many will eventually become the primary decision-maker for their household wealth. Pugh notes that women live an average of 5.8 years longer than men and that an estimated 90% of women will manage their wealth independently at some point. She also points to estimates that women will inherit $124 trillion through 2048, including $54 trillion transferred to spouses, many of them widowed baby boomers.A third change is the growth of women-owned businesses. Pugh says one in 11 working-age women is an entrepreneur, while women own 39% of closely held businesses in the United States. Those businesses employ 12.9 million people and generate $3.3 trillion in revenue. For many women, entrepreneurship is not simply about earning more. It can also provide flexibility and greater control over how work fits into the rest of life.Finally, Pugh sees a shift in how women think about wealth itself.A Broader Definition of WealthFinancial wealth matters, but Pugh says many women view wealth more holistically. They think not only about money but also about physical, spiritual, social, and intellectual well-being.That perspective changes money's purpose. Financial resources become a tool rather than an end in themselves—something that can provide freedom and help accomplish meaningful purposes. Pugh also points to research suggesting women tend to be patient, studious, holistic, and methodical investors, with many prioritizing aligning their investments with their values.For Christians, that raises a deeper question: If God has entrusted us with greater resources and influence, how do we prepare to steward them faithfully?Pugh offers a simple framework.Step One: DreamImagine you were preparing for a month-long trip overseas. You wouldn't simply show up at the airport and hope everything worked out. You would think about where you were going, what you would need, what you already had, and who could help you prepare.Financial stewardship deserves similar intentionality. Pugh encourages women to begin by prayerfully envisioning where they may be headed. One helpful exercise is to imagine your life five years from now and ask:If I were confident that God was with me, what would I explore?Then write it down. Consider not only what your financial life looks like, but the kind of life you hope to be living. What values are evident? What relationships matter most? What kind of work are you doing? What does generosity look like?The point isn't to predict the future. It's to become intentional about where you are headed and why.Step Two: Take InventoryOnce you've thought about where you may be headed, ask another question: What's already in your hand?Pugh draws that language from Exodus 4:2. Moses was reluctant when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. After Moses repeatedly expressed his fears and inadequacies, God asked him, “What is that in your hand?”It was a shepherd's staff—something ordinary that Moses may never have imagined could play a role in what God was calling him to do.The same question can help us recognize what God has already entrusted to us.Your “inventory” includes more than the balance in your bank or retirement account. It may include relationships, financial resources, knowledge, experience, skills, opportunities, and even lessons learned through hardship.Rather than beginning with what you lack, begin by identifying what you already have.Step Three: Talk About It and Make a PlanA dream becomes far more actionable when you share it and support it with a plan.Pugh encourages women to talk about their goals with trusted friends, peers, family members, and, when appropriate, a financial professional who understands their values.A like-minded advisor can help turn broad hopes into concrete financial strategies. That might involve evaluating whether current resources will support future needs, clarifying investment objectives, or determining how saving, spending, and giving decisions can work together to support long-term goals.That guidance can be particularly valuable when uncertainty becomes paralyzing. Questions such as Will I have enough? or Can I accomplish what I believe God is putting before me? can be difficult to answer alone.A thoughtful financial plan cannot eliminate uncertainty, but it can help you understand where you stand and make informed decisions about the road ahead.What Will You Do With What's in Your Hand?Women's economic influence is changing dramatically through education, employment, entrepreneurship, longevity, and generational wealth transfers. But influence itself is not the destination.Stewardship asks a different question: What will you do with what God has entrusted to you?Pugh encourages women to recognize the opportunity before them, prayerfully consider what God has already placed in their hands, and prepare intentionally to use those resources for His glory and the good of others.You may not know every step that lies ahead. But you can begin by dreaming prayerfully, taking inventory, seeking wise counsel, and moving forward faithfully with what you already have in your hands.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I owe about $78,000 on a Discover card, and they've offered to settle the debt for roughly $58,000. How would accepting the settlement affect my credit?I'm 58, own my home and car outright, and need to set up a will and possibly a trust. Where should I start if I want an estate plan that reflects my Christian values?I'm 24, living at home, and almost finished paying off my student loans. How should I start budgeting, investing, and preparing for rent or a future home purchase? And at my age, how should I think about renting versus buying?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerWomen Doing WellVirtuAssets FoundationOpen Hands FinanceFaithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

God is not limited by the clock you have been watching, because He is the God of the Kairos, the appointed moments attached to His purpose and His plan. In this message from our Dream Big series, "It's Only a Matter of Time," we look at the wedding in Cana to learn how to recognize His presence, bring Him the need, listen for His Word, and obey it. Don't quit in chronos because you're waiting for Kairos, because in due season you shall reap and now is the accepted time. Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:3, Ephesians 5:15-17, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Galatians 4:4-5, Mark 1:14-15, Psalm 31:15, John 2:1-11, Isaiah 55:6, Galatians 6:9, Luke 19:44, Acts 3:19-20, 1 Peter 5:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2 Stay connected at https://calvaryfl.com

In this message from Ecclesiastes 1, Solomon opens with a sobering look at life "under the sun." Generations come and go, the wind circles endlessly, the sun rises and sets, and in the end, we are all forgotten. So what is there to gain? Solomon doesn't offer an answer or application yet. He lets us sit in the tension. Next week, we'll follow his personal pursuits of pleasure, wealth, work, and wisdom to see if any of them can satisfy. This week, take time to reflect: What are you living for? What are you chasing? What is the meaning of your life?

What Are You Waiting For? Week 21 in the Ecclesiastes Series Speaker: Adam Kuntz Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 Download the slides for this message: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mgc7gbe0l6m9kzngimsmt/Ecclesiastes-Week-21-PDF.pdf?rlkey=ehjzp1pveb4pcyqdskg3z61bg&st=w6tccrdx&dl=0 (If using on mobile, click the icon on the top right and click direct download)

What if the life you keep striving for is keeping you from enjoying the life God has already given you?In Ecclesiastes 5:18–20, Solomon makes a surprising observation: eating, drinking, working, enjoying what we have, and accepting the life we've been given are not insignificant things, they are gifts from God.In this message from our Chasing the Wind series, Pastor Jason explores the difference between chasing the wind and catching it. When we recognize that everything we have comes from God, life begins to look different. Our work can become meaningful. Our ordinary moments can become sacred. Comparison can give way to gratitude. And instead of spending our lives preoccupied with the past or anxious about the future, God can teach us to fully occupy the moment we've been given.Life is short. Your “dash” matters.May we become people who can say:This is what I've observed to be good.From Him.Through Him.For Him.To Him be the glory.

The sun rises. The sun sets. Generations come and go. We work, build, achieve, and chase after more, but eventually, Ecclesiastes forces us to ask the question:What difference does it make?In the opening message of our new series, Chasing the Wind, we begin walking through the book of Ecclesiastes and wrestling with the tension of life “under the sun.” If everything we build is temporary, if every achievement eventually fades, and if life keeps moving on without us, where do we find meaning that actually lasts?Ecclesiastes doesn't avoid the hard questions. It invites us to face them honestly, and ultimately points us beyond the things we spend our lives chasing.Join us as we begin this journey through one of the Bible's most honest and thought-provoking books.

The sun rises. The sun sets. Generations come and go. We work, build, achieve, and chase after more, but eventually, Ecclesiastes forces us to ask the question:What difference does it make?In the opening message of our new series, Chasing the Wind, we begin walking through the book of Ecclesiastes and wrestling with the tension of life “under the sun.” If everything we build is temporary, if every achievement eventually fades, and if life keeps moving on without us, where do we find meaning that actually lasts?Ecclesiastes doesn't avoid the hard questions. It invites us to face them honestly, and ultimately points us beyond the things we spend our lives chasing.Join us as we begin this journey through one of the Bible's most honest and thought-provoking books.

We were never meant to do life alone.In a world increasingly marked by loneliness, isolation, busyness, and shallow connection, Ecclesiastes 4 gives us a radically different picture of friendship. Solomon reminds us that two really are better than one, not simply because life is easier with other people, but because God uses deep relationships to shape us, strengthen us, carry us, and keep us moving toward Him.Real friends show up when life falls apart. They bring warmth into the ordinary places of life. They tell us the truth when we need to hear it. They fight for us, pray with us, challenge us, forgive us, and walk alongside us in our pursuit of Jesus.And ultimately, the deepest picture of this kind of friendship is found in Christ, the One who sticks closer than a brother and never leaves us in our mess.As we continue our Chasing the Wind series through Ecclesiastes, we look at Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and rediscover the kind of friendship God designed us to experience.Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12Series: Chasing the Wind

Your faith doesn't stop when you clock in.Ecclesiastes reminds us that our work, our provision, and even our ability to enjoy them are gifts from God.The job you have. The season you're in. The people around you. The skills God has given you. None of it is meaningless. God has placed His people in businesses, schools, homes, neighborhoods, offices, job sites, and communities, and those places can become part of our calling.Don't spend your life waiting for the “real” ministry to begin.Ask God how He wants to use you right where He has placed you!

We were never meant to do life alone.Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us that two are better than one—because real friendship does more than give us someone to spend time with.A real friend carries you when you fall.A real friend brings warmth into the ordinary.A real friend tells you the truth you may not want to hear.A real friend sticks around when life gets messy.And real friendship helps us follow Jesus more faithfully.In a world full of connection but starving for deep relationship, maybe it's time to rediscover the kind of friendship God designed us for.

What if God is doing something good in the season you wish you could change? This week, Pastor John continues Step Into the Ring by unpacking Ecclesiastes 3 and the tension between our time-bound lives and souls made for eternity. Listen now to discover what it means to trust God with your season, choose joy, and recognize His goodness in the ordinary moments of life.

Ecclesiastes 5 gives a warning: don't stroll into worship on autopilot. The writer visits the temple hoping to find something different from the world outside, but discovers the same pride, image management, empty talk, and hunger for success inside. People are worshiping God, yet they are using him to get attention, comfort, money, or the life they want. It's an age-old problem: humanity will always struggle with making itself the center of its own worship. The passage tells us to “guard our steps” when approaching God. That means showing up ready to listen, taking our words and promises seriously, and making sure our worship connects with how we treat people all week. We should also ask what we are really guarding when we come to church—our reputation, schedule, energy, ambitions, or grudge? Worship becomes hollow when God is merely an accessory to the life we want. The good news is that we are told to guard our steps because God invites us to draw near. Jesus in his tremendous love shows us how to approach God by the way he approached us. He came to his people, listened to their cries, used his words to heal, and kept his promise by giving himself on the cross. We approach God each week, by humbling ourselves before the one who humbled himself before us. ---------- To support the work and worship of Redeemer, subscribe to our channel and consider supporting us by giving a tax deductible gift at the link below. https://Redeemer-Church-Rockwall-517189.churchcenter.com/giving

The Gift of Limits | Tullian Tchividjian"Fragments of Freedom, Part 05" / Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

In this episode of A Book with Legs, Cole Smead, CEO and Portfolio Manager at Smead Capital Management, is joined by Chairman and Chief Investment Officer Bill Smead for the firm's quarterly book list.Cole and Bill walk through what they have recently finished, what they are reading now, and what is on deck. Recent titles include David Williams's “The William E. Boeing Story”, Liaquat Ahamed's “1873”, Ken Rogoff's “Our Dollar, Your Problem”, Adrian Wooldridge's “The Revolutionary Center”, Bryan Burrough's “The Gunfighters”, and Erwin Chemerinsky and Howard Gillman's “Campus Speech and Academic Freedom”. Currently in progress are Lydia Towns's “In Search of Trade and Fortune”, George Orwell's “1984”, and A. W. Tozer's “God's Pursuit of Man”.The conversation uses those books as mental models, including comparing today's AI enthusiasm with the railroad boom and the panics of 1873 and 1893. In the second half, they turn to the firm's eight criteria and the market: Nike's core shoe business versus apparel, the 10-year Treasury back near 5 percent, and a gun-to-the-head choice between that Treasury and the S&P 500 over the next decade. Tozer's reminder from Ecclesiastes 12:12 that “of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh” hangs over the book list episode itself.If you have a book to recommend for a future list, email podcast@smeadcap.com or reach the firm on X at @smeadcap.Sign up to be notified about new episodes: https://hubs.ly/Q0452V800

Ecclesiastes 2

Countdown To The Feast Of Sukkot  Part 3: The Feast of Tabernacles And The Book Of Ecclesiastes  -  English and Spanish.  Why do we read the Book of Ecclesiastes at this feast and how does that book relate to the 4 species mentioned in Leviticus chapter 23?  Recorded during the afternoon services on the first day of Sukkot, September 26, 2026. This year we will celebrate the Feast of Sukkot from September 26 through October 3.

Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Steve Hogg, every weekday morning as he gives his insight on a chapter from the Bible. At First Baptist Church Rock Hill, we exist to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. Connect with us on: Twitter - @FBC_RH Instagram - @fbc_rh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistRH​​

Pastor David kicks off the new series in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Welcome to Gospel Rant, and our new series, Chasing the Wind! CHASING THE WIND Episode 2: Three Ways to Survive the World Where Does Wisdom Come From? The big idea: The first podcast creates the suspicion: “Wait—maybe I’ve been reading Ecclesiastes wrong.” Session 2 is designed to give you listeners the decoder ring they’ll need for the rest of the series. Everybody needs wisdom because everybody is trying to answer the same question: What should I do next? And there are essentially three answers: Look within.Look around.Look up. We will see what you think. And now, it’s your turn…

Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

The sermon explores the narrative of Esther to illustrate the theological principle that God providentially places individuals in specific times and circumstances for a divine purpose. It challenges the tendency to romanticize the past or feel out of sync with the present, urging believers to embrace their current location, job, and community as part of God's sovereign plan. By citing Ecclesiastes 7:10 and the story of Mordecai, the message emphasizes that every life event, including hardships, contributes to a greater good for those who love God. The preacher encourages the congregation to evaluate their unique gifts and opportunities as stewardship responsibilities rather than mere privileges, highlighting the necessity of sacrifice and faithfulness. Ultimately, the sermon calls for active engagement in sharing the gospel and standing for Christ in the present moment, trusting that God will work through human effort to bring about joy and deliverance.

You have a friend you'd call one of your closest, and you haven't had a real conversation with her in months. Something happened that neither of you brought up, so now there's a little distance you're both pretending not to notice.They call it the friendship recession. The share of women with six or more close friends fell from 41% in 1990 to 24%, per the Survey Center on American Life. So it's not a you problem. Nobody taught us how to keep one.Catherine Wheeler has been my friend for thirteen years, and we let something sit for a month before we dealt with it. This is the conversation after that conversation.Then go call her. Not text. Call.Anchor scripture — Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV)Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.FIND CATHERINEPivot180: www.pivotoneeighty.comInstagram: @catherinelwheeler_ALSO MENTIONEDApril Bowman, Bold Believers UnitedProverbs 3:5–6The friendship recession and slow friendship — from the American Perspectives Survey, Survey Center on American LifeRESOURCESGot a friendship you need to repair? Tell me in the comments, email busylovingjesus@gmail.com, or leave me a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/490848/2/y0pq69yh71h3zu9oFOLLOW BUSY LOVING JESUS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busylovingjesus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thekglifestyle?sub_confirmation=1 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thekglifestyle Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fsuNnbtbisH9C4Llns1kp Apple Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-loving-jesus/id1481504282FOLLOW KALA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekglifestyleTHE LUXE HOMEBODY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxehomebody Design style quiz: https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6a7852b1411496a2d29bd353New episodes every Sunday.

Living for yourself makes you lonely | Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 | Malachi Tresler

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on September 26, 2026. The readings are from Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:8, Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17, Luke 9:43b-45 (Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time). Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SlakingThirsts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SlakingThirsts/