Message: Money and Satisfaction
Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
I'm noticing that as I age, my perception of things changes. Money is one of those things that I notice is changing in my life. I am 48 now and have noticed over the past 10 years or so that as our family income grows, our expenses grow as well. It would seem that through this process life would get easier and better and we would have more money for things, but in reality, our spending habits simply shift and our needs expand. It is sort of depressing to notice. It is only recently, as the older kids leave the house that I am starting to, at times, see less expenditures. I have been more focused and disciplined this year on tithing 10% consistently. That is good. But, I also admit that has been a hard thing to prioritize. I also notice that every year, about May or June I get in this pinch where we can't pay all of the bills and have to take a one-year no interest loan out with the credit cards. Last year, it was the largest it has ever been. Life would just be easier if I didn't have to do that, but graduation expenses and summer camps are tough on expenses.
As I look at this verse 10 from Ecclesiastes 5, it rings true: He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. Our desire for money will never be satisfied with money. There is always something more that we think that we need. It's an interesting thing. If you love food, food can satisfy you. If you love your wife, her love can satisfy you. If you love to go hiking, then when you go hiking, you will be satisfied, but the love of money is not satisfied with money. That's the danger because we often assume it will satisfy us.
Even though Jesus plainly said that no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), many people seem bent on trying to prove Him wrong. - Mark Dunagan
This too is vanity. This too is vanity or striving after wind. There is no lasting joy in the pursuit of money.
When good things increase, those who consume them increase. As money increases in our life, our proportion for more money increases. Millionaires often have millionaire valued houses. Isn't it interesting that as we age, the desire seems to be to travel and go many places? All of these things take a lot of money.
It amazes me that these ballplayers making millions sign contracts in which they make more millions. And I often will read about the people they then have in their life. I heard the other day about a millionaire golfer that hired an old friend to be his accountant. Like one person can support one person as an accountant for all his money. There is a growing need for legitimate and necessary help such as personal accountants, lawyers, body guards, managers, gardeners, drivers, cooks, maids, etc.
So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? I saw this: This may mean: 1. In the end the wealthy man outside of Christ only gets to look at more than the poor man. 2. Solomon argued that the only results of increased wealth for a covetous person are increased anxiety and increased vigilance, not increased enjoyment (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 989).
The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep. It is interesting, but in this verse the contrast is a working man and a rich man. It is interesting that what is often the aim of people is play, entertainment, time off. Yet, what is mentioned here is good sleep comes to those that work hard. It is through working hard that we sleep well and are well rested. It is not through having a lot that makes us content. I saw this commentary:
"One of the human absurdities is we pour out money and effort on exercise-machines and health clubs to undo the damage of money and ease."We sit around and entertain ourselves, enjoying the couch when there is work to be done and accomplished.
I find that I worry to much about money and how we are going to pay for things. See, my focus is on having things and then thinking this is what we will bring joy. I cannot even enjoy myself completely unless I have a bunch of things. My focus is not on the right things. This message is a wake-up call for that.
Promise: It is perplexing that many people remain discontent even when they can afford any comfort they desire. Keep using my money to fund the Gospel.
