Eyes on Wealth: Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12

Perhaps the most staunch belief mankind has is that a good future can be guaranteed by amassing wealth. As much as we argue against it (see, for example, Fiddler on the Roof), like the rich young ruler we really aren’t ready to give up that hope in money. The Preacher wants to challenge our belief in Ecclesiastes 5:8–6:12 .

Ecclesiases 5

[8] If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. [9] The only profit from the cultivated fields belongs to the king.

The Preacher is arguing that there is no end to injustice from those who have power because they seek greater wealth. Those in lower positions have to answer to those in higher positions, so the poor get no real benefit. This is sheer futility!

[10] He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. [11] When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? [12] Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

But for those who live for such gain, no gain will ever be enough and expenses will only increase with gain, so that in one sense the poor laborer enjoys his sleep more than the rich. This is a futility, as well.

[13] There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, [14] and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. [15] As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. [16] This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? [17] Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

The pursuit of riches can lead to two other futilities:   1) either wealth damages the rich person (and we have countless examples of this), or 2) the temporal nature of wealth means it cannot be taken with us when we die. Either way, wealth leads to vexation, sickness and anger. The implication? It is better not to be a lover of money (1 Timothy 6:6–10, But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.)

[18] Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. [19] Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. [20] For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

It is better to not pursue wealth but to find contentment in your food and work, letting God’s joy be your fulfillment.

Ecclesiastes 6

[1] There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: [2] a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. [3] If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. [4] For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. [5] Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. [6] Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?

The implication here? Live your life as though you are going to die (because you are) and make a positive difference for good that people will honor at your burial.

[7] All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. [8] For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? [9] Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Godliness with contentment is great gain!

[10] Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. [11] The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? [12] For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

We have no guarantee for the future. We have no innate strength to overturn this futility nor change our nature, so it is better not to make riches or any other hope for a guaranteed future our goal.  Is it possible to have wealth and not suffer these vexations?  Yes.  But only if wealth is not our hope for making life good.