 |
 |
|
Wealth - A bad savior Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 February 13th, 2011
INTRODUCTION We all have a tendency of looking to money, wealth and possessions as a functional savior. From it we seek security, comfort and identity. Only seeing Christ as He really is can break this idolatrous pattern of the heart.
The TEXT Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 ESV (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) But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. (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. (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. (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.
SUMMARY This passage is found in the context of God’s sovereignty, and how we are to relate to Him in the vanity of things under the sun. Verses 8-17 speak to the vanity of hoping in riches. Verses 18-20 speak to the joy of contentment in God’s provision and plan. This passage is about two ways of living: wanted a lot vs. accepting your lot. These two variant ways are seen in a longing for more riches that only brings frustration and pain and joyful contentment in the provision of God whether abundant or lean.
MAIN POINTS A Dysfunctional Savior – WEALTH (WANTING A LOT) Verses 8-17 give at least seven truths in regards to the false hope or dysfunction of money and wealth as a hope or Savior.
(Ecc 5:8-9) 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. But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. Oppression=those envious and greedy who steal to get more rich The wise realize this and do not get bitter nor are they surprised.
(Ecc 5:10) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Money makes a horrible mistress…it will not satisfy. Loving money is like drinking salt water – the more you drink, the more thirsty it makes you. Enchanted Turkish Delight
(Ecc 5:11) When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? (Pro 1:19) Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. Possessions often end of possessing you. The things meant to serve you end up being served by you.
(Ecc 5:12) 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. The wealthy are tempted to worry about additional things – what about the future of my goods, protection, robbery, spending, etc.
(Ecc 5:13-14) There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. (Pro 23:5) When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. (Pro 28:22) A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
(Ecc 5:15) 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. (Job 1:21) And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Pro 27:24) for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?
(Ecc 5:16-17) 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? Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. The way of wealth is full of frustration and vanity.
The Gift of God – CONTENTMENT IN HIM (through Christ) (ACCEPTING YOUR LOT) God gives the gift of joy and enjoyment in the midst of little and much. (Ecc 5:18-20) 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. 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. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Money is a good thing, but we make it an evil dragon when we make it a God thing – when we look to it for what it was never meant to do. Money is not meant to be a thing we hope in – God is! Only Jesus can rescue us from a false trust; a false worship. 1 Timothy 6:6-19 ESV Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, (7) for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (8) But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (9) 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. (10) 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. (11) But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (12) Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…(17) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (18) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Where is your treasure? (Matthew 6)
|
