"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep."
Ecc. 5:10-12
Ecc. 5:10-12
We exist in a world where a central thought is held concerning wealth: The one who dies with the most toys wins. This is an attempt to find humor in the urges people have to gain wealth at all cost. In truth, this is a cold conviction against humanity with as much appeal as a rotting corpse in it's grave.
God grants us a clear vision of wealth in Ecclesiastes. In chapter five, verse ten, we are told that a person that loves wealth will never be satisfied with wealth. No matter how much cash, possessions or power is acquired, it leaves the person empty and unfulfilled. The word in Hebrew where we get "he that loves" here is אהב (ahab), which can be used to show a deep, possibly sexual love. I think a good case can be made to translate this is another way of saying "lust." Like every other lust we experience in our flesh, it is an unending hunger. When we try to sooth a fleshly lust, it doesn't calm with our efforts. Instead it inflames with each attempt to fulfill it's desires.
Using the same thought, we are also told that those who lust for abundance will always be driven with the need for more. It is an unending cycle of want for greater want, and desire with greater desire. These feelings create a prison for those who submit to them.
Both of these traits are described as vanity (or, as the word הבל׃, which is hebel, translates into transitory or unsatisfying.) They are tagged as being empty pursuits.
Verse eleven gives us the observation that the more you gather, the more you find that things will take what you have gathered. Isn't that the truth? What person that has been in the workforce hasn't at one time or another received a raise, yet found that it really didn't add to the pot? The common, everyday worker sees a pay raise generally followed by an increase in food costs, or bills, or taxes. Even the wealthy have huge taxes, and tons of requests for donations. This trent is an unavoidable truth.
The verse continues by asking us what good is it to have a pile of wealth (for those that can obtain it), except to sit around and count it. Money in the bank does very little except sit, unless it is leaking away or adding to itself. When the day is done, wealth has accomplished nothing good by just being present.
It is in verse twelve that we see a comparison that makes sense of this whole thing. For God has shown us that the person that works for what he needs is able to sleep restfully, as opposed to the rich person. The wealthy person has to be on constant vigil, protecting his wealth, watching his wealth, worrying about what will happen to his wealth.
So, what is the secret to finding the happiness and peacefulness? Is it to give up your wealth? Is it to not work, or maybe to work harder? Longer hours? No vacations? Is there even a way TO find peace?
Well, Jesus addressed that very question:
God grants us a clear vision of wealth in Ecclesiastes. In chapter five, verse ten, we are told that a person that loves wealth will never be satisfied with wealth. No matter how much cash, possessions or power is acquired, it leaves the person empty and unfulfilled. The word in Hebrew where we get "he that loves" here is אהב (ahab), which can be used to show a deep, possibly sexual love. I think a good case can be made to translate this is another way of saying "lust." Like every other lust we experience in our flesh, it is an unending hunger. When we try to sooth a fleshly lust, it doesn't calm with our efforts. Instead it inflames with each attempt to fulfill it's desires.
Using the same thought, we are also told that those who lust for abundance will always be driven with the need for more. It is an unending cycle of want for greater want, and desire with greater desire. These feelings create a prison for those who submit to them.
Both of these traits are described as vanity (or, as the word הבל׃, which is hebel, translates into transitory or unsatisfying.) They are tagged as being empty pursuits.
Verse eleven gives us the observation that the more you gather, the more you find that things will take what you have gathered. Isn't that the truth? What person that has been in the workforce hasn't at one time or another received a raise, yet found that it really didn't add to the pot? The common, everyday worker sees a pay raise generally followed by an increase in food costs, or bills, or taxes. Even the wealthy have huge taxes, and tons of requests for donations. This trent is an unavoidable truth.
The verse continues by asking us what good is it to have a pile of wealth (for those that can obtain it), except to sit around and count it. Money in the bank does very little except sit, unless it is leaking away or adding to itself. When the day is done, wealth has accomplished nothing good by just being present.
It is in verse twelve that we see a comparison that makes sense of this whole thing. For God has shown us that the person that works for what he needs is able to sleep restfully, as opposed to the rich person. The wealthy person has to be on constant vigil, protecting his wealth, watching his wealth, worrying about what will happen to his wealth.
So, what is the secret to finding the happiness and peacefulness? Is it to give up your wealth? Is it to not work, or maybe to work harder? Longer hours? No vacations? Is there even a way TO find peace?
Well, Jesus addressed that very question:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matt. 6:19-21
Matt. 6:19-21
The most precious treasure in all of heaven and earth combined is the forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. In dying on the cross, He paid the price that would have meant death for us by eternal separation and suffering. Each day, He offers that treasure to people from around the world. And how do we receive our portion of this fortune that is safe, secure and eternal?
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Rom. 10:13
Rom. 10:13
Call out to Jesus to forgive you of your sins, to give you rebirth spiritually, and to lead you in your life from this time forward, and you can have true wealth.
Grace and Peace....
Grace and Peace....
