THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
In 1997, Billie Bob Harrell, Jr., won $31 million in the Texas Lotto. After he won, he quit his job, paid for a family vacation to Hawaii, made an enormous contribution to his church, bought houses and cars for his loved ones, and donated nearly 500 turkeys to the poor.
Sadly, Billie Bob made a bad deal with a company that promises lotto winners lump sum payouts instead of their larger annual checks. Then his wife left. Billie Bob admitted: “Winning the lottery was the worst thing that ever happened to me.” Less than two years after he won, Billie Bob died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound.1
Money is a good servant when we use it wisely for God’s glory, but it is a terrible and demanding master when we become a slave to it. Many of us think that, if we just became rich, that would solve all our problems. King Solomon, who was exceedingly rich, knew better. Money does not bring contentment. Contentment comes from Christ alone, not from wealth.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
Wealth is not bad in and of itself; it’s not wrong to be rich. The problem comes when the basic human need for money becomes a sinful desire. The Bible calls this sinful desire “the love of money,” and this love becomes “a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10).
Solomon warned us that one who has the sinful desire to be rich will never be satisfied. The more wealth the lover of money accumulates, the more he or she wants. It is an empty, futile pursuit. This quest for riches tempts individuals, industries, and institutions to be greedy at the expense of others.
- Con-artists looking for a get-rich-quick scheme prey on the unsuspecting and overly-trusting elderly.
- Globally, pornography rakes in $97 billion for its producers, but they bring in that money at the devastating expense of countless women and children.2
- Government-sponsored lotteries wave the promise of quick riches, but they overwhelmingly prey on the poor who can ill afford to gamble.3
Instead of solving problems and bringing contentment, financial gain often brings with it many temptations and troubles.
- Wealth attracts moochers. “As goods increase, so do those who consume them.” The more you have, the more people show up to help you spend it.
- Wealth creates hoarders. Once the moochers start knocking, the wealthy person just might end up watching his money go down the drain. To avoid losing his wealth, a tycoon will be tempted to hoard it instead. Rather than sharing his wealth, he’ll just let it accumulate. He does nothing except take it out and look at it. “What benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?”
- Wealth produces anxiety. The regular worker puts in a day of honest labor and rests well afterward. But the lover of money is constantly afraid of losing it all. He becomes anxious. “Their abundance permits them no sleep.”
It’s important to remember that money is not bad and having wealth is not sinful. But we also must continually keep in mind that pursuing wealth for security and satisfaction will always leave us empty and anxious. The danger of greed is always lurking close by. In fact, as we shall see, it can make us insecure.
Ecclesiastes 5:13-17
Earlier, we noted the danger of greed at the expense of others. Now Solomon exposed “a grievous evil”—the danger of greed at one’s own expense. When we are so driven by our love of money that we hang our hopes on it, we will be tempted to keep as much of it as possible.
Risky ventures. When our hope is in our money, we’re not patient when it comes to accumulating the wealth we think will bring us safety and security. Consider three ways we’re tempted to make money fast:
- Gambling. Whether it’s playing the lottery, casino games, the poker nights, college football playoffs, or “March Madness,” gambling “rewards” gamblers with less money and an addiction to “try again” that eventually destroys them.
- Foolish investments. When we’re motivated by a love of money, we may be tempted to pursue high-risk investments that are hardly different than gambling.
- Dumb debt. Who wants to wait? We live in a culture of instant gratification. With credit readily available, it’s easy to overextend ourselves to accumulate possessions.
Death. Even if a person avoids making risky ventures, he will not escape death. None of us will. And all of us will lose our wealth when we die. Death is the ultimate equalizer. We leave this world the same way we came into it.
Wealth offers no guarantee of security. To the contrary, it often can lead to frustration and isolation.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
- It’s appropriate to enjoy life. Some people think the Christian life is all about what we can’t do, what we’re not supposed to enjoy. But everything God created was good, and rightly used, it is to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. When we enjoy life and experience good in all the labor we do, we glorify the God who created everything that is good.
- Life is short! Solomon reminded us that our life “under the sun” (in this world) is but a “few days,” so God invites us to enjoy it to His glory while we can. We are to live all of our life as an act of worship and in recognition that God has created all things for His glory and for our enjoyment.
- Life is a gift from God. It is God who has given us these few days of life on earth. His reward to us is that we are able to enjoy the fruits of our labors in this short life that He has given to us.
- Be content with what God has given you. All we possess is a gift from God; it is He who has “[given] someone wealth and possessions.”
- Contentment leads to peace and joy in this life. When we are content with the life and the wealth God has given us, we will not be anxious about the days of our lives because God will keep us occupied; He will fill our hearts with joy.
The way to renew our minds and find contentment that leads to joy is to view life from an eternal perspective; that is, “above the sun.” Viewing earthly life through the lens of our future reward allows us both to enjoy life now and to look forward to the riches of our eternal inheritance in Christ that is awaiting us in heaven.
LIVE IT OUT
Whether we have a lot or a little, our contentment comes from Christ, not our wealth. How will you fight for contentment this week?
- Evaluate your contentment. List your assets and possessions and rate how much they give you a level of contentment or security. Determine first to look to Christ.
- Step up your giving. When we’ve been financially foolish, we tend to hold on to the money we have. Contrary to that mindset, though, generous giving is a key to overcoming materialism and greed. Set a budget and plan to give generously through your church.
- Get help! A large source of our financial grief stems from consumer debt and poor financial planning. If that’s you, work with a financial counselor to help you set up a plan to get rid of your debt and start a budget.
The wisest man who ever lived learned that wealth doesn’t bring contentment. So let’s look to Christ for our satisfaction and our hope!
Hope to see everyone this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Teacher's Notes:
Are you more likely to hoard money out of a love for the security it seems to provide, or spend money out of a love for the things it buys?
Hope to see everyone this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Teacher's Notes:
In 1997, Billie Bob Harrell, Jr., won $31 million in the Texas Lotto. After he won, he quit his job, paid for a family vacation to Hawaii, made an enormous contribution to his church, bought houses and cars for his loved ones, and donated nearly 500 turkeys to the poor. Sadly, Billie Bob made a bad deal with a company that promises lotto winners lump sum payouts instead of their larger annual checks. Then his wife left. Billie Bob admitted: “Winning the lottery was the worst thing that ever happened to me.” Less than two years after he won, Billie Bob died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound.
Money is a good servant when we use it wisely for God’s glory, but it’s a terrible and demanding master when we become a slave to it. King Solomon, who was exceedingly rich, knew the truth: Money doesn’t bring contentment. Contentment comes from Christ alone, not from wealth.
Are you more likely to hoard money out of a love for the security it seems to provide, or spend money out of a love for the things it buys?
- Neither extreme is God-honoring.
THE POINT: Contentment comes from CHRIST, not our wealth.
In the previous session, King Solomon emphasized the futility of working hard when everything one accumulates gets left behind. In Ecclesiastes 5, Solomon looked at the problem of money from a different perspective. Instead of focusing on the work that produces wealth, he examined the wealth itself. And, like everything else, he found it never provides true meaning.
READ: Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
According to this passage, why is wealth frustrating?
1. Pursuing wealth never brings the SATISFACTION we think it will.
- When it comes to craving money, enough is never enough for the one who measures his success in dollars and cents.
- The wealthy may struggle to find true friends, but may attract those who desire to be near them only for what they may gain from the relationship.
- Wealth, if allowed to be a controlling factor in one’s life, can lead to worry and anxiety, and cause a person to wander away from the truth and righteousness of God.
Solomon warned us that one who has the sinful desire to be rich would never be satisfied. The more wealth the lover of money accumulates, the more he or she wants. It’s an empty, futile pursuit. Wealth may even produce anxiety. The regular worker puts in a day of honest labor and rests well afterward. But the lover of money is constantly afraid of losing it all. He becomes anxious. “The abundance of the rich permits him no sleep” (v. 12).
DIG DEEPER: Vs 10: Solomon started looking to see if wealth provided any degree of meaning and hope in life. In the end, he concluded it didn’t. He noted that the person who “loves silver is never satisfied.” Like so many other things he had examined, the pursuit of wealth solely for the sake of becoming wealthy is “futile.” Vs 11: In addition to the emptiness of chasing “one dollar more,” an improper understanding of wealth can lead to shallow relationships. Solomon saw when someone enjoys a financial windfall, it won’t be long before the “ones who consume them multiply.” We’ve all heard of lottery winners who have long-lost relatives come out of the woodwork. Or shady business people with equally shady business opportunities who want to cash in on the riches of a famous athlete. Solomon observed this all-too-familiar sight, and returned to a familiar question: What’s the point? Using a play on words, he contrasted financial profits (increase) with personal profits (profit). A person might have a healthy profit, but one really can’t profit from it if constantly bombarded by requests from people wanting money. The only way to protect their fortune is to hide it somewhere, like a museum display. They might be able to “gaze at” their wealth, but it benefits neither them nor others. Vs 12: If you’ve ever put in a hard day of honest work, then you understand the satisfaction of a job well done. That’s the image Solomon painted. That sense of satisfaction is never rooted in the size of your paycheck. It’s grounded in the peace that comes from a job well done. In contrast to the peaceful “sleep of the worker,” people obsessed with money never rest well. All the worry about protecting and maintaining their wealth “permits him no sleep.”
5:10-11: We always want more than we have. Solomon observed that those who love money and seek it obsessively never find the happiness it promises. Wealth also attracts freeloaders and thieves, causes sleeplessness and fear, and ultimately ends in loss because it must be left behind.
No matter how much you earn, if you try to create happiness by accumulating wealth, you will never have enough. Money in itself is not wrong, but loving money leads to all sorts of sin. Whatever financial shape you are in, don’t depend on money to make you happy. Instead, use what you have for the Lord.
Wealth isn’t bad in and of itself; and it’s not wrong to be rich. The problem comes when the basic human need for money becomes a sinful desire. The Bible calls this sinful desire “the love of money,” and this love becomes “a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
How have you seen the truth of these verses portrayed in culture today?
READ: Ecclesiastes 5:13-17
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
What are some signs that a person is putting their hope in money?
How can you use wealth as a blessing for future generations instead of letting it become a curse?
2. Wealth offers no GUARANTEE of security.
- Hoarding riches for riches’ sake has no logical beneficial outcome and provides us a false sense of security for troubled times.
- Our riches can be lost.
- The benefits of riches are temporary at best, for when we die, they stay behind.
- We may control our wealth while we live, but when we die, we lose control; thus, a lifetime devoted to accumulating wealth is futile in the end.
Solomon exposed “a sickening tragedy” (v. 13)—the danger of greed at one’s own expense. When we’re so driven by our love of money that we hang our hopes on it, we’ll be tempted to keep as much of it as possible. Solomon warned against “wealth kept by its owner to his harm” (v.13). When we love money and place our hope in it, we’ll always want more. The insatiable pull for “more” will lead us into greed, yet without any better sense of security.
DIG DEEPER: Vs 13: Solomon noted what he called “a sickening tragedy.” Instead of helping people improve their lives, chasing after wealth with the wrong motives can lead to harm. Money can be deceptive. What looks good at first can leave a person empty and lost. Rather than more control, life spins into chaos. A fine line exists between wisely saving and money hoarding. The first reflects solid stewardship, the other a sick and selfish spirit. What’s more, hidden money can’t help anyone. It doesn’t enrich the owner or bless those who could be helped by it. Vs 14-15: Legacies were important in Solomon’s day. Fathers were careful to make sure they had something to pass on to their children. But a fool who is separated from his money because he was eager to make more in the wrong way actually ends up “empty-handed.” His children end up “empty-handed” as well. Besides wrecking families, a money obsession keeps our focus on what’s temporary rather than on what really matters in eternity. We leave this world exactly as we arrived: “naked as he came.” We will give an account to God for what we’ve done, but we won’t have anything tangible to show for it, nothing to “carry in his hands.” While wealth isn’t necessarily wrong, living for wealth has devastating consequences. Vs 16-17: The selfishness and stinginess of the human heart leaves pain in its wake. People are left reaching “for the wind.” After a lifetime of chasing money, individuals find no benefit. Wealth should eventually produce treasure in heaven—not be squandered on what seems important here on earth. And since money can’t provide lasting peace and contentment, it shouldn’t serve as the axis of our existence. That position is reserved for the Author of purpose and meaning. The stingy person “eats in darkness” and wallows in “frustration, sickness, and anger.” Where God’s light never shines, the darkness is overwhelming. Those who depend on wealth will be disappointed. Those who depend on God will be satisfied.
What warning messages does Solomon offer in these verses?
READ: Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
How do you know where to draw the line between building wealth wisely and becoming obsessed with more?
3. Find CONTENTMENT in God who provides all we need.
- Joyful contentment is not a product of how much we possess, but the result of accepting God’s activity in our lives and believing He does what is best for us.
- We can find joyful contentment even in the simple things of life when we see them as gifts of God.
- By focusing on the joyful contentment, the Lord gives, we can overcome every sad memory, struggling circumstance, or sorrowful experience.
What practical steps can we take to learn to be more content?
If being rich can never satisfy and we always run the risk of losing our wealth, how should we think about money? How may we renew our minds and think rightly about God’s desire for us and for our money and possessions? The answer lies in contentment.
- Be content with your life and your work. Notice the stark difference between verses 17 and 18. In verse 17, Solomon cautioned that the one who hoards his wealth—who is never satisfied with what he has—eats in darkness and isolation, and he can’t enjoy his life and work. But in verse 18, Solomon encouraged, “it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun.”
- Be content with what God has given you. All we possess is a gift from God; it is He who “has given riches and wealth” (v. 19). So, we’re to be content with whatever possessions God has given us, and we’re to rejoice in our labor.
- Contentment leads to peace and joy in this life. When we’re content with the life and the wealth God has given us, we will not be anxious about the days of our lives because God will keep us occupied. He will fill our hearts with joy.
DIG DEEPER: Vs 18: To this point, Solomon’s observations have focused on the negative approach to money. But in these verses, he shifted his perspective by sharing the positive side of money and building wealth. Solomon’s perspective toward money can be summarized in the twin ideas of contentment and gratitude. The king pointed out it is appropriate to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. Vs 19: Some Christian circles condemn wealth and assume piety requires a sense of poverty. Solomon rejected this outright criticism of wealth. First, he pointed out God is the One who actually gives “riches and wealth.” As the psalmist noted, God owns everything (Psalm 24:1). Second, he emphasized God not only provides the wealth, but He wants individuals to enjoy what He has provided. While Solomon struggled to find many sources of joy and purpose in Ecclesiastes, he made it clear that wealth, viewed appropriately through the lens of God’s goodness, is a “reward” for humans and a reason to “rejoice.” Wealth, earned through honest work and with a godly perspective, is God’s gift to His people. This shouldn’t be seen as an endorsement of a “prosperity gospel.” God is never obligated to supply wealth to anyone, and we can’t buy His favor.
Vs 20: Hard work provides an additional benefit for those who trust God: They aren’t obsessed with their own mortality. The joy that comes from consistently working for God’s glory allows them to focus on the future without having to deal with regrets from the past. They discover meaning for this life because they have an eternal purpose that drives them forward. Ultimately, God provides every need. He can be trusted. So, we can be content.
5:19-20: God wants us to view what we have (whether it is much or little) with the right perspective – our possessions are a gift from God. Although they are not the source of joy, they are a reason to rejoice because every good thing comes from God. We should focus more on the Giver than the gift. We can be content with what we have when we realize that with God, we have everything we need.
How would you describe a biblical approach to wealth?
How will you fight for contentment this week?
1. Evaluate your attitude toward money. Are you more likely to hoard money out of a love for the security it seems to provide, or spend money out of a love for the things it buys? Neither extreme is God-honoring. Consider whether money is mastering you and recommit to serving God, not money, as your master.
2. Pursue contentment. Where are you struggling to trust God with your finances? Ask God to guide you into peace and contentment in this area.
3. Step up to give. Generous giving is key to overcoming materialism and greed. Make a plan to give generously. If you’re already tithing regularly, consider where you can give more.
The problem with wealth is that it promises more than it can deliver. We can’t buy satisfaction, security, or contentment. Each is a gift that comes from being in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, claim Christ; discover the true contentment only He can provide.
Introduction: The most dangerous love affair any man or woman will ever experience in this life is a love affair with money. It is not only the magnet that draws people to its powers, but also the mistress for whom we will do almost anything to get more. It’s best to understand the strong force money possesses.
1. The Dark Force of Money (vv. 10-17) Money is a deceitful object of desire because it can never fully deliver what it promises. It’s no sin to be rich or to want to achieve and be successful, or to have the belongings that money can buy. But we must understand, money is not neutral, and the individual who thinks so is only being foolish. Jesus once referred to wealth and money as "Mammon." In doing so, he assigned money a personal and spiritual aspect, placing it on an equal plane with God. The entire Biblical witness warns us about the dark force of money and its potential to pull us down.
For example:
• Money does satisfy, but it does not completely satisfy (5:10). Money is like salt water. The more you drink, the thirstier you become. It's never enough. It craves and covets and longs and wants more. Wise was the man who said, "How much does it take to satisfy? A little bit more."
• Money solves a lot of problems, but it does not solve every problem (5:11). Yes, money does provide solutions to many of life's inconveniences and daily needs. But money is not the magic cure-all. For example, money can buy comfort, but not contentment; medicine, but not health; entertainment, but not happiness; food, but not an appetite.
• Money can bring peace, but not necessarily peace of mind (5:12). John D. Rockefeller, at the age of fifty-three, was the world's only billionaire, earning about a million dollars a week. But he was a sick man who lived on crackers and milk and could not sleep because of worry. Interestingly, after he started to give his money away his health changed radically. And, he lived to celebrate his ninety-eighth birthday.
• Money provides some security, but not ultimate security (5:13-15). We are a people who long for security. In a world that does not seem to provide the protection we desire, we use our money to gain it through security systems, protection plans, and insurance. Many people focus on human security that money can provide and never give thought beyond the grave and their need for eternal security.
2. The Good Side of Money (vv. 18-20) On the other hand, money is not all bad. Money is not evil. Money can provide a lot of excellent benefits. Money has a beautiful and beneficial character when understood and used correctly.
For example:
• Money meets the necessities of life (v. 18). Money provides the food and drinks we need to live and to survive as human beings. Besides, money purchases the houses we live in, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive. It educates us. It allows us to enjoy parks and gardens and operas and symphonies. It builds churches. It enhances our relationship with God when we understand its role, bringing it under Jesus' lordship, and are generous with it. When used correctly and given generously, money blesses humankind. Money can buy some happiness, bring some fulfillment, buy a certain amount of freedom. Money can make life more comfortable. As one well-known entertainer once said, "I've been rich, and I've been poor, and being rich is better." The late Joe Louis, the boxing champion, said, "I don't like money actually, but it quiets my nerves."
• Money is a gift from God (v. 19). God is a giver. Throughout all of Scripture, one of God's predominate characteristics is his benevolent and generous nature. God does give to people. Solomon saw the money that God gave to humans as a gift. Granted, it appears, that God gives more to some than to others. Regardless of the amount that we possess, we need to be grateful and appreciative of God’s gift to us. We need to accept his gift. Accepting our lot is our way of acknowledging the Giver and trusting what he is doing when he shares with us.
• Joy, not money, should occupy our hearts (v. 20). Solomon’s statement provides a great way to live each day. Instead of our hearts being filled with money our hearts need to be occupied with joy. A British theologian defined joy as the flag that flies over the castle, signifying that the King is in residence. When the King of Kings resides in our hearts, joy prevails in our lives. When we seek first God's kingdom, we are living in a proper relationship with him and with money.
Conclusion: When money occupies the heart, then the dark forces of money prevail. When we choose Jesus, then joy holds our heart, and money is used for great good. Money has a dark side, a shadow self. It possesses a dangerous if not, demonic, power. Like pleasure, it is alluring and attractive and tantalizing. Once its veneer is peeled off its corrupt and destructive power is revealed. On the other hand, money is a tool that can be used for great good. With it comes blessings and the prosperity to help and benefit others. The key is who or what is occupying the heart. Jesus or money? Let’s choose Jesus, having the right relationship with money. Then, we can enjoy money and experience joy in life’s journey. And, we can use God’s gift to accomplish good in this world that will bless us and point others to Jesus.
