Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Empty Materialism

Empty Materialism
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! — Ecclesiastes 5:10
How much is enough? Solomon observed in Ecclesiastes 5:10 that those who love money will never be satisfied. The pursuit of wealth and material gain often leaves us feeling empty. Why? Because money and possessions can never fill the void in our hearts that only God is meant to occupy.
From Solomon's day to now, this truth hasn't changed.
In a world that constantly pushes us to earn more, buy more, and achieve more, we're tempted to believe that happiness lies just beyond the next purchase or promotion. But Hebrews 13:5 offers a different perspective: "Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have." Why? Because our ultimate security doesn't come from money — it comes from God, who promises, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."
Jesus takes this even further in Matthew 6:19-21, where He urges His followers not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven. Earthly possessions are temporary and vulnerable to decay and theft. But when we invest in God's Kingdom — through generosity, service, and love — our treasure becomes eternal.
Will you trust God to provide, or will you place your hope in the fleeting security of material things? Kingdom-centered living means valuing eternal rewards over temporary wealth. Moreover, it is trusting that God's presence is worth more than anything money can buy.
True contentment isn't found in possessions. It is found in God's unfailing presence and provision.

The Inevitable

The Inevitable
For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten. — Ecclesiastes 2:16 
Death is the great equalizer. Solomon observed that no matter how wise or foolish a person might be, all eventually meet the same end. He writes, "The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool" (Ecclesiastes 2:16). It's a sobering truth. No amount of earthly success, intelligence, or effort can prevent the inevitable.
However, Solomon's conclusion, although bleak, isn't the whole story. The New Testament sheds light on what comes after death. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:10, "We must all stand before Christ to be judged." Death isn't the end for the believer; it's the doorway to eternity.
We will all stand before Christ one day.
This truth shifts our focus from worry over how we'll be remembered on earth to how we're called to live in light of eternity. For those who believe in Jesus, death doesn't have the final word. Jesus declares in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die."
How does one live with Kingdom-centered objectivity in the face of death? By anchoring their hope in Christ and aligning their life with His eternal purposes.
Instead of fearing death, we can embrace life with boldness, knowing that our future — our forever — is secure in Him.
In Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life. Live today with eternity in view.

The Limits of Human Wisdom and Understanding

The Limits of Human Wisdom and Understanding
The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. — Ecclesiastes 1:18 
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the weight of knowledge? Maybe you've learned something about the brokenness of the world or carried the burden of understanding someone else's pain. Solomon knew this feeling well. He writes in Ecclesiastes 1:18, "The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief." Yes, the wisest man to ever live recognized that even wisdom, pursued apart from God, can bring sorrow.
Why? Because human wisdom, while valuable, is limited. You and I can never fully comprehend God's purposes or the scope of eternity. Paul reaffirms as much in 1 Corinthians 3:19 when he writes, "The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God." This is to say, what we often see as brilliance, God sees as shallow, flawed, or incomplete.
But there is hope! God offers wisdom to us that goes well beyond our human understanding. James 1:5 encourages, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you." True wisdom begins with humility — acknowledging our limitations and turning to God for guidance. This kind of wisdom doesn't lead to grief or sorrow but peace and clarity rooted in His eternal perspective.
When we embrace the truth that God's wisdom far exceeds our own, we can let go of the pressure to figure everything out. Instead of relying on our intellect, we can trust in His infinite understanding, knowing He'll guide us every step of the way.
True wisdom begins when we trust God's infinite understanding over our own.

The Futility of Earthly Pursuits

The Futility of Earthly Pursuits
"Everything is meaningless," says the Teacher, "completely meaningless!" — Ecclesiastes 1:2 
Have you ever worked tirelessly to achieve something, only to find the excitement didn't last? Maybe it was a career milestone, a personal goal, or a big purchase. At first, it felt like the ultimate fulfillment. But before long, you were left wondering, Is this really all there is?
Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, understood this feeling. He experienced wealth, power, and success beyond imagination. Yet, despite his many accomplishments, he declares, "Everything is meaningless!" (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
What's Solomon's point? He's not saying life has no value. Rather, he's saying life without God has no lasting value. Jesus reinforces this truth in Matthew 16:26, asking, "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"
Earthly pursuits — riches, fame, material comfort, etc. — may offer temporary satisfaction, but they can never fulfill your soul's deepest needs. Instead, Jesus invites you to seek what endures. "Don't be so concerned about perishable things like food," He declares. "Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you" (John 6:27).
What are you chasing? Are your goals centered on the eternal purposes of God or on things that fade? Jesus offers something far greater than what the world provides: a life of meaning, purpose, and satisfaction rooted in Him. When your focus shifts to God's Kingdom, you begin to see your work, relationships, and aspirations through an eternal lens. Life becomes not just about achieving but about glorifying God.
Pursue what lasts because only what's eternal can truly satisfy.

Speak For Yourself

If we make a daily practice of the first four daily habits, after a while, others will ask us why we are doing what we are doing. We need to be able to answer in the first person.
Why Are You Doing This?
When you go beyond your job description and serve others, they will be curious. In their mind, they will try to understand your actions through worldly motives like “he’s just trying to get ahead.” But when your service springs from love for Jesus, they won’t have a logical explanation to connect your actions to your motives. Eventually, some will ask, “Why are you doing this?”
Answer With Conviction
In 1 Peter 3:15, the first part of the phrase says to sanctify Jesus as Lord in your hearts. When we sanctify Christ as Lord, we set him apart as Lord. We know why we trust him as Lord. Once we convince ourselves, then we’re ready to make a defense to everyone who asks.
Prepare Your Answer
During day three, we talked about preparing a brief answer that points to Jesus using your own words. Some people may ask us why we’re being so nice or why we remembered to send an email. If we answer with “I just felt like it” or “God told me to,” people won’t understand our true motivation. They’ll think we’re strange and drop the subject.
Intentionally answer in a different way. Remember your one-minute answer from day three. It should sound something like, “I wanted to do something for you because Jesus changed me. I want my faith in Jesus to matter every day.” Initially, an answer like this might feel or sound awkward to you. But the more you practice, the more natural, accurate, and honest it will become. Your friend’s mind will have to stretch to process and think about your answer.Don’t let this exercise put words in your mouth. Ask God to give you a humble answer that glorifies him. Give your reason in the first person. Avoid giving instructions or making a specific ask. Simply state your reason. That’s what we mean when we suggest you speak for yourself.
Keep your answer brief, but also keep the focus on Jesus. And if they want more information, they’re free to ask for it. If they ask more, answer more, as naturally as possible.
Put Yourself in Their Shoes
As an exercise, put yourself in their shoes. Pray and then ask yourself the "why" question. Speak your answer out loud. Ask another Christ-follower to give you feedback. Write your answer down. Does it sound reasonable to you? Ask yourself, “but why?” a second time.
Repeat this practice until you’re comfortable with your answer. Imagine how to reasonably explain your actions to someone who thinks Jesus is no more real than Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. The more you practice answering the “why” question, the more natural and confident you’ll feel when you have these conversations.
They Will Ask
Did you notice something else? Peter says they will ask. Unless you feel a leading from God, you need not volunteer anything. Quietly and humbly serve. If no one ever asks, we know Jesus is still in charge, and we will receive a reward for doing what he told us to do. We don’t have to twist or manipulate any conversation. Let’s give our lives away because we know Jesus is Lord. When we give our lives away, people will ask.Take some time and practice your answer. Use “I” and “me” statements. Be certain. Resist the temptation to tell someone else how to get to heaven. Explain the hope you have in you because you know Jesus. God will give you the words, and you will bless others if you can wait until someone asks. And then, speak for yourself.