RICHES & WEALTH
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
Last week we began series titled “Vanity”, a short survey of the book of Ecclesiastes. This is a book that often gets overlooked; it’s rarely ever preached from or studied, but it’s extremely important because it contains words of wisdom.
What is wisdom? Your first thought might be that wisdom is knowledge, but wisdom is actually much more than knowledge. It’s possible for a person to have a great deal of knowledge, but very little wisdom. You may even know some people like that, I know I do…They’ve got multiple degrees hanging on their wall but they lack what I like to call “good ole fashion common sense.” You see, the difference between wisdom and knowledge is that wisdom involves the practical application of the knowledge in which you possess.
Well, last week we began in chapter 2…discussing success and the importance of our work. Now, in chapter 5, Solomon deals with the vanity of RICHES AND WEALTH. Let’s begin by looking at…
I. The Politics of WRONGDOING (vv. 8-9)
Now, it doesn’t take a rocket-scientist to figure out that we have corruption in our government. But I want you to know this morning, that corruption in the government is not a new thing. As a matter of fact, it was Solomon who said that “there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). So ever since governments have been in existence, there’s been corruption.
Now you might be wondering, “Well if government is so corrupt, then why does it even exist?” The Bible tells us several things about government in Romans 13:1-4:
a.) Government was established by God Himself.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Rom. 13:1).
b.) When we rebel and resist to authority, we might as well tell God that we don’t trust in His sovereignty; we don’t believe that He’s in complete control.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves (Rom. 13:2).
c.) Government exists in order to punish those who do evil.
For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil (Rom. 13:4).
The point is, that government exists for our good. That’s what Solomon is talking about in verse 9 of our passage this morning when he tells us that a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land.
II. LAWS OF FINANCIAL WELL-BEING
Many people truly believe that if they were rich then all their problems would just suddenly disappear. You might even be sitting there thinking right now, “Well Preacher, I know that money doesn’t buy happiness, but at least I would be miserable in style."
a.) Law #1: Money doesn’t bring SATISFACTION.
Verse 10
Again, money doesn’t bring satisfaction. All you have to do is to look at the lives of the rich and the famous. They’re the most miserable people on earth. Every time you turn around they’re getting another divorce; they’re always wondering if the people closest to them are only after their money…and because of these things, they find themselves alone and empty. It’s ok though because they have a lot of money…WRONG!
Money doesn’t satisfy. If you’re living your life to pile up as much money as you can, you’re going to end up unsatisfied and restless. Your heart’s desire will never be filled apart from a relationship with God; He’s the only One who can bring you satisfaction in your life’s work.
b.) Law #2: Money doesn’t Last.
Verse 11
I don’t know if you’ve noticed this natural law in your life or not, but I’ve seen it time and time again - Michele and I seem to have this God-given ability to always spend at least 10% more than we make. It doesn’t matter if we’ve quadrupled our income over the years, our spending always seems to match.
That’s what money does, it doesn’t last. You make more money, you spend more money. Story of my life.
Law #3: Money doesn’t bring Peace of Mind.
Verse 12
Here’s a fact that you can write down: Whatever you own, ends up owning you. The more you have, the more you have to worry about.
There’s a story about a man who was traveling by train across India. He placed his suitcase which was filled with $100 bills on the seat beside him. Throughout the night, he struggled to stay awake because he was afraid that if he fell asleep someone would steal his suitcase. He would find himself nodding off and his head would lower and jerk and then he would force his eyes open. This went on most of the night when finally, his eyes became heavy and he dozed off. A little bit later, he woke up only to find that the suitcase had indeed been stolen. "At last," he said with a yawn, "I can finally get some sleep."
In our passage this morning, Solomon contrasts two men. He says that for the working man it doesn’t matter whether he eats steak or cereal, just as long as he eats. Whereas, the rich man might be eating steak and potatoes, but his soul is lean. Also, the working man sleeps good at night; the rich man can’t sleep at all.
Sleeping is one of life’s pleasures, but it’s even more pleasurable when you’ve spent a day hard at work.
So just to recap…Is Solomon saying that it’s wrong to have money? No, it’s the LOVE of money and the PURSUIT of wealth that leads to tragic consequences.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim. 6:10).
When money becomes a way for you find satisfaction and self-fulfillment, then it’s elevated to a god-like status and the pursuit of money becomes a form of idolatry. You can’t serve both God and money.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24).
THE WAY OF WEALTH
Now Solomon talks about two tragic stories he calls "severe evil."
1. The First Severe Evil: A Man who Loses it All.
Vv. 13-15
The first case is of a man who gains a fortune but then loses it through a bad investment. If we were to equate this to today’s world perhaps the stock market crashes. Or maybe he builds a business and the business fails. As a result, the man who spent his life to obtain a fortune can’t even support his own son. He spent his entire life gathering money and in the end, he has nothing to show for it. He dies as naked and as penniless as he was when he was born.
2. The Second Severe Evil.
Vv. 16-17
The second evil that Solomon describes is sort of like the first, but there is a difference: He doesn’t mention what kind of success this man had before losing it all, but the point is that it doesn’t matter how much money is in your bank account because everyone’s balance is gonna end the same way.
The first man hoarded his riches but lost it all in bad business dealings and he died with nothing. Solomon says that everyone else also dies the same exact way…with nothing. The tragedy is the same for EVERYONE. I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul. You can’t take your money with you when you die; you’re gonna go out the same way you came in…penniless.
LIFE LESSONS FOR FINANCIAL WINS
1. Enjoy It While You Can.
Verse 18
If you spend all your time waiting on tomorrows financial promises, then you’re never gonna be able to enjoy today.
If you went to doctor tomorrow and were told that you only had 6 months left to live, how would you live differently than you live right now? What would you do? Who would you spend your time with? Who would you apologize to and ask for forgiveness? Do it!!!! You only have a few years, that’s what Solomon is telling us…Enjoy the here and now! Live a life of purpose!
2. What You Have is Given by God - Be Thankful.
Verse 19
If God has blessed you with wealth (and BTW, everyone here is considered wealthy by the world’s standards), then you have an obligation to thank Him for that wealth and to enjoy His blessings with an attitude of thanksgiving.
But even if you are penniless, God has blessed you with the wealth of LIFE. Whether it’s eyes to see, ears to hear, a mind to think or any combination of any of these things…give thanks to God because these are all blessings from Him.
3. Don’t Waste Your Time Worrying about the Brevity of this Life.
Verse 20
There’s a temptation when reading the teachings of Ecclesiastes concerning the brevity of life that we stop and spend our life worrying about death. Well that’s the wrong attitude. A proper attitude is to accept this precious gift of life and to do what God has called us to do.
What has God called you to do? To be a fire fighter? Then enjoy being a fire fighter and do it for the glory of God. To be a housewife? Be a housewife with gladness in your heart as you make your home a house of God. To be a businessman? Recognize that all business is God’s business and that He has blessed you with a place to do His work. Enjoy your work and be thankful to God for that work.
