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“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 one pressing for our attention. Like a collage, the individual pieces may not make sense until we step back and see the bigger picture. Today, we’re talking about the gift of perspective—and how 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, 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.

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 when they become our ultimate goals, they leave us empty.

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.

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 Ecclesiastes speaks into 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?”

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: <

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When someone has wronged you, it's easy to become angry and let it fester in your soul. If they don't repent, release them to God. He will deal with them.

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Christy Braddock has struggled with shame from a teen pregnancy and years later, abortion. The guilt became a heavy weight to carry. Christy got pregnant at 15 and gave her baby up for adoption. Then at 21 she became pregnant again, but this time she decided to keep the baby and get married, thinking this was her second chance to raise a child. But because her marriage was so dysfunctional she made some poor choices, including abortion, that she’s had to overcome with Jesus’ grace and forgiveness. Today, Christy’s passion is helping women to break free from shame and boldly share their testimonies and, because of that, has created The Shine Collective with Christy B., a space for healing hearts and brave stories. When you hear her testimony of faith today, you’ll also hear the joy and light that comes from within her since she’s found freedom and forgiveness through the love of Jesus. Here's Christy's story...

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Watch Breaking Free from Shame: Pregnant at 15, Redeemed by Faith with Christy Braddock