The Cycle of Grateful Living with John Cortines

“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and the power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” - Ecclesiastes 5:19What if true joy doesn’t come from gaining more, but from gratefully receiving what God has already provided? Today, John Cortines joins us to explore what he calls the Cycle of Grateful Living—and how it transforms our approach to money and contentment.John Cortines is the Director of Grantmaking at The Maclellan Foundation. He is the author of our new study on the book of Ecclesiastes, Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money, as well as the co-author of God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School and True Riches: What Jesus Really Said About Money and Your Heart.The Heart of Ecclesiastes: Joy as a GiftEcclesiastes 5:18–20 forms the foundation of our new Wisdom Over Wealth study:“It is good and fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil... this is God’s gift to man... God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” - Ecclesiastes 5:18–20These verses, nestled within the longest section on money in the book, offer a radical invitation: rather than striving for more, we’re called to enjoy what we’ve already received. Even the ability to enjoy life’s blessings is a divine gift.Introducing the Cycle of Grateful Living: E.A.T.To help us live out this vision, here’s a simple acronym from Ecclesiastes 5:19: E.A.T.—Enjoy, Accept, Toil.Enjoy God’s ProvisionEverything we have—our wealth, relationships, health, and even the capacity to enjoy them—is a gift from God. Acknowledging this turns entitlement into gratitude and replaces striving with trust. Accept Life’s BrevityEcclesiastes frequently reflects on death, not to breed fear, but to awaken us to the preciousness of life. Acceptance of our limits and mortality grants deeper purpose and contentment in the present moment. Toil with JoyWork is not something to escape from. Ecclesiastes calls us to rejoice in our toil. True fulfillment isn’t found in early retirement or unending leisure, but in the meaningful work God places before us.What Gets in the Way?Gratitude can often feel elusive in the routines of everyday life. Often, we slip into discontent when we:Take God’s provision for grantedIgnore life’s brevity and live mindlesslyComplain about work instead of finding purpose in itThe world’s promises—especially those of financial independence or early retirement (FIRE)—can become mirages. We’ve probably all been there, dreaming that if we work hard and save enough, we will someday be free. But that vision of life can be so hollow because the human condition is to be oriented to purpose, to work. Even if you're retired, it's not so you can sit on a beach for 20 years.We were made to participate in God’s creative, redemptive work. That’s why embracing our toil with joy brings far more satisfaction than escaping it.Wealth Without Joy: A Modern ParadoxWhile many of us live more comfortably than royalty of past centuries—with cars, clean water, air conditioning, and vacations—anxiety and discontent remain widespread.Billionaires are often no happier than the rest of us. Without a grateful heart, even abundance can feel empty.The Cycle of Grateful Living isn’t just about how much we have—it’s about how we relate to what we have. It teaches us to stop chasing wealth and start engaging with it through the lens of joy, acceptance, and purpose.From Ecclesiastes to Jesus: A Unified MessageJesus echoes the wisdom of Ecclesiastes in Luke 12. He reminds us of the birds and flowers—simple creatures that don’t worry, yet are lovingly provided for by God.“Consider the lilies, how they grow... If God so clothes the grass... how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” - Luke 12:27–28James 1:10–11 also makes a similar connection where riches are likened to wildflowers—beautiful for a moment, but quickly fading. The message is clear: our time is brief, but God is faithful.So, how should we respond? By living present to God’s provision, content in our limitations, and faithful in our work.Ecclesiastes 5:20 offers a powerful conclusion:“He will not much remember the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”What does this look like practically? It’s about presence. A life that’s not dominated by worry or comparison, but one that’s centered on Jesus. It’s a heart too full of gratitude to be caught up in regret.Invite Jesus Christ into this moment. Ask for help to enjoy what He’s provided, to accept this season, and to do today’s work with joy.Every generation has had its turn. Ours is now. The call of Ecclesiastes is to live wisely in the present, not with frantic striving, but with deep joy, humble acceptance, and faithful effort.We’re like the birds and flowers. Here for a precious moment, sustained...