Day #10: Elusive Riches

The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile. When someone’s prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes? The sleep of the laborer is pleasant—whether he eats little or much— but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep. (Ec 5:10-12)

It has been said, "It's not money that's the problem, but the love of money".  Certainly, this is true, but shortsighted.  Worldly riches have a strong seductive influence on each of us.  We were all designed by our Creator with one primary instinct- to love. Of course, the truest and most noble type of love focuses on God Himself.  Unfortunately, if we fail to love God, we will love almost anything else.   So why are we so prone to love money?  I suppose it represents our ability to take charge of our life.  With enough resources at our disposal, we believe we may find safety, security, and independence.   If we look closer, we see the fallacy in this belief.  Solomon speaks to it. 

 

No satisfaction

 

Money brings no lasting satisfaction.  The more money one makes, the more one spends.  It's very rare to find a person that decides on a standard of living and sticks with it, no matter how much they make.  We get caught in the "bigger and better" game.  The more we have, the more we want.  We must realize how we are influenced by our own covetousness- "eager or excessive desire for wealth or possessions". Solomon observes the simple laborer is satisfied no matter how much he makes, the wealthy person never finds true rest.  This certainly disagrees with the common conception of wealth- that those with more money sleep better, are safe and secure.  What an elusive dream. 

This is a profound deception.  Rather than bringing comfort and ease, it often brings pain and disappointment.

 

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim 6:6-10)

 

The "love of money" is idolatry.  If we make material wealth our god, it is a cruel taskmaster.

 

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."- Jesus (Mt 6:24)

 

Worry over loss

 

Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery. Then that wealth was lost through bad luck; although he fathered a son, he has nothing left to give him. (Ec 5:13-14) 

 

The person who hoards his wealth brings himself great misery.   For one thing, riches are easily lost.  Of all the pursuits of life, wealth might be one of those things most easily lost.  Not so with other investments.  The love we show to our family and friends and the commitments we make to them are more secure.  Also, the priority we give in our spiritual lives- our walk with God, our time with Him in prayer and in his Word.  Two things are eternal- the Word of God (Is 40:8) and the souls of men (Re 20:11-15).  These are secure investments.

 

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Jesus (Mt 6:33)

 

You can't take it with you

 

Just as he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil. This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind? (Ec 5:15-16)

 

There are those who attain great material success, but they still die.  Who has ever been to a funeral where people bragged about how much the person was worth?  No, we hear about how kind they were, or how much their family loved them.  At best, we might hear how their generosity made a difference for others, but not how much they hoarded for themselves. Funerals are often a great reminder of what is important.  The wise person considers their death.  What do they want to have written on their tombstone?  It's wise to plan our life starting at the grave and working backwards.  The reality of death must inform how we live.  To ignore death is to live foolishly- to put our hope in things that really do not matter.

 

Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life. (1 Tim 6:17-19)

 

The generous can find great joy in giving.  "You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead."


Questions to consider:

 

  1. What are some ways that giving can be a protection against materialism?
  2. What does hoarding wealth do to the soul?
  3. Why do you suppose Solomon frequently references death?

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