10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. 13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a severe evil– Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? 17 All his days he also eats in darkness,
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
Money doesn’t always equal peace in this world. Some of the richest people on planet earth are constantly worried and anxious. While the Bible never expressly condemns wealth, Christians are given warnings about trusting in riches in the Holy Scriptures. (Matthew 6:18-34 & 1 Timothy 6:10) God’s people should trust in God and God alone.
Solomon was one of the most affluent individuals in history. He had the money and the time to pursue every worldly allure. Here, he dispels the myth which permeates human thought that money can buy contentment. “If I only had more, I would be happy” is how this thinking is shared in our day. However, the King tells us “not so fast my friend.”
We need finances to live in this world. There is nothing wrong with having money or possessions. Nevertheless, Solomon advises against placing trust in wealth. Why? Because wealth doesn’t satisfy us and it requires much energy to oversee. We will leave all of our money behind. Trust in the Lord, Child of God.
Tony French
mrtonyfrench 