In Ecclesiastes 4:6 we read, “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” The handful of quietness here seems to be the quiet satisfaction of a contented heart. Prior to this statement, the preacher has been talking about the rivalry that comes from one neighbor envying another. Want and envy are the torturing enemies of a quiet contented life. It is through want and envy that we bring rivalry into our relationships or even abandon relationships to strive after the offerings of this world. Countless marriages have broken apart through the dissatisfaction of one spouse believing themselves to be held back by the other from obtaining more out of life. I am not simply talking about material positions, but relationships, power, pleasure, or any other pursuit that puts the carrot of want in front of our eyes.

We often hear people talking about making the most out of life and being the best you can be. If you have ever had the experience of sitting in a large auditorium and listening to a motivational speaker, (in some instances this has been called church), you will no doubt have heard a passionate plea for you to visual your success. You hear that you need to increase and pinpoint your aim, focus in on what you want most out of life, plan ahead, set goals, and work hard to grab it with both hands (or something like this). Your goal is everything and don’t let anyone hold you back. Don’t listen to negative, keep focused and surround yourself with people who will ultimately help you and not hinder you.

In verse 7 Solomon goes on to describe another person who fits this sort of category of someone striving. This person seems to be alone. He works so hard to gain for self and ends up with no one to share it with. He lives for his goal and it seems that nobody is going to get in the way of this man’s bucket list. His success is real and so is his loneliness. He has pinpoint accuracy on an achievement that is worth more to him than community.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 tells us that the person who is satisfied with what a normal amount of work in this world will give them, will be much better off than the person who is striving after grabbing the enticements of the world with both hands. The person content with what they can hold in one hand has a spare hand to think of others rather than self. That person values people more than pleasure or riches or power or anything else in this world. That person is a person who can let go of their bucket list and love others.

Life in this world is so often lived as if this is all there is. That attitude forsakes others to gain more for self. It’s the attitude that says, “Seize the day,” or “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.” The quiet handful of contentment says, “I have all I need, let me share.” It says, “This life is not all there is, and the best is yet to come.” To truly know the reality of that statement, one must know the reality of their eternity. They must be confident in the satisfaction that can only be obtained through the forgiveness of Christ and the eternal inheritance obtained in the cross. In Christ alone we can enjoy our work in this world to be content with a handful and keep a free hand to serve others. All we need is Jesus.

Sir Walter Raleigh wrote:

“Give me my Scallop-shell of quiet,

My staff of faith, My scrip of joy, immortal diet,

My bottle of slavation,

My gown of glory, hope's true gage,