***“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.”* – Ecclesiastes 1:14**

Life is full of pursuits and ambitions, each pressing for our attention. Like a collage, the individual pieces may not make sense until we step back and see the bigger picture. But with the gift of perspective, viewing our lives through an eternal lens can change everything.

If there’s one book in the Bible that invites us to zoom out and take an honest look at life, it’s Ecclesiastes. It’s raw, reflective, and unafraid to ask big questions:


- What’s really worth pursuing?
- What has lasting value?
- What are we building—and why?

Our new study, *[Wisdom Over Wealth](https://www.faithfi.com/shop/wisdomoverwealth)*, explores the book of Ecclesiastes with these questions in mind. It helps us see how financial wisdom fits into the broader story of a life lived for God. I’ll tell you how to get your copy in a moment.

**Chasing the Wind**

In our everyday financial lives, it’s easy to be consumed by the immediate—this week’s bills, that investment opportunity, or the looming tax deadline. Every issue seems urgent. But what if, instead of focusing on just one puzzle piece, we looked at how it fits into the whole? What if we could pull back and see our finances as part of a much bigger story?

That’s the gift of perspective. It lifts us out of the weeds and helps us see clearly. When we understand how our financial choices connect to our spiritual priorities, we begin making wiser, more intentional decisions.

Ecclesiastes invites us to take a mile-high view of not just our money but life itself. The Preacher, on whom this book is based, says he has seen all the works done *“under the sun”* and found them to be vanity, a chasing after the wind. Not because work or wealth are bad, but because they leave us empty when they become our ultimate goals.

That’s a message we need in a culture that constantly tells us to buy more, earn more, and do more. But *Ecclesiastes* points out that it’s all meaningless if disconnected from God’s purposes.

**Wealth as a Tool, Not a Treasure**

This doesn’t mean that wealth is meaningless—far from it. When we view money through a biblical lens, we understand that it’s not something to be worshiped or hoarded. It’s a tool to be used for God’s Kingdom purposes. When stewarded wisely, wealth can be used for incredible good: to bless others, to support ministry, and to bring glory to God.

That’s where the book of Ecclesiastes speaks about stewardship. It reminds us that we don’t truly own anything. Everything we have is entrusted to us by God. We’re stewards, not owners—and that changes everything.

It changes how we think about earning, saving, giving, and even retiring. It redirects our focus from accumulation to impact. Instead of asking, *“How much can I gain?”* we begin to ask, *“How can I use what I have to reflect God’s character?”*

### 

**The Call to Contentment**

That’s the heart of biblical stewardship—living with open hands, trusting God as our provider, and using what we’ve been given for His glory.

Ecclesiastes also teaches us something else that’s crucial for our financial lives: contentment. The writer encourages us to enjoy our work, to appreciate what we have, and to find joy in the simple gifts of life. It’s a call to be present, to stop comparing, and to stop chasing.

Whether we’re in a season of plenty or a season of little, contentment helps us stay grounded. It reminds us that peace isn’t found in having more—it’s found in walking with God, where we find lasting peace no matter our financial situation.

So, how do we begin to cultivate this perspective? How do we step back and see our finances in light of God’s larger story?

Start by asking some honest questions:


- *“What truly matters to me?”*
- *“What do I want my financial legacy to be?”*
- *“How can I reflect God’s values in how I manage His money?”*

When you pause to reflect, you begin to see money not as the end goal, but as a resource to be used wisely and generously. Perspective leads to peace because it ultimately leads us back to God. It frees us from the endless striving and invites us into a deeper trust in His provision.

**FaithFi’s Newest Study: Wisdom Over Wealth**

If you’re ready to explore how God’s wisdom speaks into your financial life, we invite you to journey through *[Wisdom Over Wealth](https://www.faithfi.com/shop/wisdomoverwealth)*—a 12-lesson study through the book of Ecclesiastes. You’ll reflect on Scripture, engage with practical and personal insights, and be guided in prayer as you consider how to live with financial wisdom in a fleeting world. This study will challenge your assumptions about money, deepen your trust in God’s provision, and help you treasure Christ above all.

**You can request your copy when you become a [FaithFi Partner](https://www.faithfi.com/partner) with a monthly gift of $35 or more, or a one-time gift of $400 annually. Just visit [FaithFi.com/Partner](http://faithfi.com/Partner) to get started. Through your partnership, you’ll not only grow in biblical wisdom—you’ll help equip others to do the same.**

FaithFi

Articles

Life is full of pursuits and ambitions. But with the gift of an eternal perspective, our view of life changes.

VERSES | Jun 2, 2025

The Gift of Perspective

By: Jim Henry

Where Faith Meets Finance

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