What does "appetite is never satisfied" teach about worldly desires? Opening the Text “All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.” (Ecclesiastes 6:7) Tracing the Problem of Insatiable Appetite • The verse describes the human cycle of working, earning, consuming—then immediately feeling the need for more. • “Appetite” here stands for every worldly longing: possessions, experiences, acclaim, pleasures. • Scripture presents this as a universal condition, not a passing phase. Worldly Desires Identified • Possessions – Ecclesiastes 5:10: “Whoever loves money never has enough.” • Pleasure – Proverbs 27:20: “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” • Power – Habakkuk 2:5: “He enlarges his appetite like Sheol… he gathers to himself all nations.” Each of these categories promises fullness yet delivers emptiness. Why the World’s Menu Never Fills the Soul 1. Created for Eternity: Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God “set eternity in the hearts of men.” Temporal things cannot fill an eternal longing. 2. Corruption of Sin: Romans 8:20 speaks of creation “subjected to futility.” A fallen world cannot offer lasting fulfillment. 3. Moving Target: Proverbs 23:5 notes that riches “sprout wings and fly away.” What we chase keeps shifting. 4. Spiritual Vacuum: Augustine observed hearts are restless until they rest in God; Scripture affirms this in Psalm 107:9: “He satisfies the thirsty soul.” Contrasting Satisfaction in Christ • John 6:35: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger.” • Isaiah 55:2: “Listen carefully to Me… delight your soul in abundance.” • Psalm 16:11: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Earthly appetites keep gnawing, but Christ brings genuine rest. Practical Takeaways for Daily Living • Gauge Desires: When longing flares, pause and compare it with eternal priorities (Colossians 3:1-2). • Practice Contentment: Philippians 4:11-13 shows contentment learned through reliance on Christ rather than circumstances. • Redirect Appetite: Feed the soul daily with Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and service (Matthew 5:6). • Hold Loosely: Adopt 1 Timothy 6:6-8—“godliness with contentment is great gain… we brought nothing into the world.” • Celebrate True Provision: Thank God for daily bread while remembering the Bread of Life satisfies forever (James 1:17, John 6:35). Summary Ecclesiastes 6:7 exposes worldly desire as a bottomless pit: labor and consumption never still the craving. Only when the heart turns from transient goods to the eternal Good—Jesus Christ—does the appetite find rest and satisfaction. |
    |