The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 19 The Perils Of Pursuing Wealth. The Joy Of Godliness & Contentment!

Pursuing wealth is a hopeless endeavor.

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14  There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14)  But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.  

King Solomon begins to expand on the harmful impact of those who try to become wealthy and are never satisfied. 

Riches can harm if the wealthy man uses them wrongly. If he is driven to alcohol or drugs, or gluttony and loses his health. 

If he cannot cope with the increased stress of trying to keep his assets to gain even more, and his mind is flooded with discontentment and anxiety. 

The rich man may enter a partnership and lose it all. He may become the target of thieves who seek to steal his wealth, or extortioners who demand a ransom payment.

The rich man may pass on his wealth to his son when he dies, only to see his son foolishly squander it away and become poor. Riches often perish by evil travail. 

Thus, riches kept for their owners can indeed cause them physical or emotional harm. 

God warns about the perils of trying to be rich. 

1 Timothy 6:9-10  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

God warns us about the perils of being greedy. Those who seek to become rich fall into various temptations. For example, Enron and WorldCom both fell victim to internal accounting crimes. 

Why? Because the love of money is the root of all evil. Those who choose to pursue wealth may find themselves pierced by many sorrows.  

The rich man will die and his wealth can do nothing for him.

Ecclesiastes 5:15-17  As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16)  And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? 17)  All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.  

A rich man himself shall carry nothing with him into the eternal world. If he die worth billions, those billions are dead to him for ever. 

Therefore, the rich man has had no real profit from all his labors, cares, anxieties, and vast property!

The rich man who is obsessed with obtaining more wealth, eats in darkness. This is the idea that even doing pleasurable things, his activity is tinged with worries and uncertainties. 

He is plagued by a fear of losing his wealth. He walks in darkness because he does not know Jehovah!

Again, this is written from the perspective of life without God. 

Ecclesiastes 5:18  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 

Solomon arrives at his conclusions about those who are rich and do not know God. "Behold that which I have seen" means this is the result of his observations and experience. 

God gives every man, in the course of His providence, the necessities of life; and it is His will that each person should use them with thankful hearts.

It is good to give thanks to God who provides all these wonderful provisions for our physical needs. 

It is better to give thanks to God for the salvation and gift of eternal life, that He has provided.

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20  Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20)  For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. 

Thus, it is best when we keep work, wealth, and the world in their proper places, subordinate to God who created it all. Knowing God and pursuing Him is our highest calling in this life.

Keeping Jesus Christ as our priority will help us be content, and to enjoy our work, and to enjoy whatever provision God has for us. 

True happiness is learning to be content with what God gives us. 

1 Timothy 6:6-8  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

God is not against a believer in Christ becoming wealthy. The key is that a wealthy believer remembers to be a good, faithful steward of all the resources God has blessed him with. 

God can and does use wealthy Christians to advance His kingdom purposes. But, the wealthy Christian must live by this truth: Godliness with contentment is great gain. 

We carry nothing into this world and we will not take any riches with us when we die. Therefore, if our basic needs are met, let us be content.  

The responsibility God puts on a wealthy Christian. 

1 Timothy 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 

The words "charge them" is a strong command from God directed to wealthy Christians. 

Charging them means Timothy is to speak directly with wealthy Christians and tell them God's expectations in no uncertain terms. "This is how God expects you to live and how He commands you to use your wealth."

First, a rich Christian must remain humble, not arrogant. He must live a lifestyle that does not flaunt his wealth in the presence of poorer brothers and sisters in Christ. 

A rich Christian must not value themselves based upon their wealth or status, for all that they possess came from God and rightly belongs to Him.

Second, the rich believer must not forget that his wealth is a blessing from God. He must always trust God, and not rely on his riches to get him through life.

1 Timothy 6:18-19  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19)  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

God charges wealthy Christians to always be ready to support any good that they can. They must tithe and perhaps give more than a tithe to support their local church ministry.

If a church member is in need, they must be ready to assist them. They must be ready to distribute their wealth to benefit other believers who are experiencing need or hardship.

Willing to communicate is the idea that a rich Christian loves and values his poorer brothers and sisters in Christ. He is ready to talk with them, ready to hear what their needs are and how their lives are going, ready to help as needed.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Solomon gave us many wonderful truths to help us understand that life without God is tentative, vaporous, and highly dissatisfying. 

Life with God, fills us with thanksgiving for His abundant provisions for all our physical needs, and praise for bringing salvation to us, through faith in Christ. 

Whatever God has blessed us with, we are to be good stewards of. The widow's mite that she put in was commended by Jesus as being of great worth, because she gave her all, and trusted God to provide for her needs. 

This is why Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

May the Lord teach us to use our resources for His glory, and give the first 10% of our income to Him. He will bless us when we are faithful to do so.

Bob