Ecclesiastes
5 reminds me of the often misquoted scripture, “The
love of money is a root of all kinds of evil“.
The preceding chapter spoke to our need for loving relationships,
and now Solomon seems to be trying to explain how to balance life’s
priorities. He begins with the need for worshipping God. To be
clear, he is putting this at the top of the list. “Guard
your steps when you go to the house of God… listen rather than to
offer the sacrifice of fools“.
He is saying do not just go through the motions of religion. We
must approach God with a reverence. He explains, “Do
not be quick with your mouth… do not be
hasty
in your heart… God is in heaven and you are on earth“.
He makes a very clear distinction between the Creator and His
creation. Any time we elevate ourselves and minimize God, we will
get into trouble. Solomon continues, “When
you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it…
It
is
better
not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it“.
Too often we feel like we need to bargain with God to earn His favor
but as soon as the crisis passes; our vow is forgotten. He says, “Do
not let your
mouth
lead you into sin“.
God’s love is unconditional and free for the asking.
Next
Solomon speaks to the fallacy of trying to equalize economic outcome.
“If you
see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied,
do not be surprised at such things“.
People are different and they have different skills, abilities and
motivation. We tend to think that other people are overpaid, but we
do not know all of their responsibilities. Everyone has a boss, “one
official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others
higher still“. And he
points out, “Whoever
loves money never has enough… is never satisfied with their
income“. Solomon sees
the advantage in living a simpler life, “The
sleep of a laborer is sweet… but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep“.
Bigger responsibilities carry bigger burdens. The more you own, the
more you must maintain. Do your possessions possess you?
Finally
Solomon discusses the futility of wealth. He warns of “I
have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth
hoarded to the harm of its owners“.
Many people that accumulate wealth have been driven by noble
reasons. Very often they are generous with their giving and
passionate in supporting important causes. Quite a contrast to the
politician that is generous with other people’s money! Solomon
also notes that wealth can also be “lost
through some misfortune“.
Ultimately, “Everyone
comes naked from their mother’s womb… and so they depart“.
He then pictures the successful man that works hard long hours
sacrificing to build a nest egg. He asks, “What
do they gain? All their days they eat in darkness, with great
frustration“. Perhaps
you have asked yourself, is it all worth the effort? Solomon gives
this answer, “it
is
appropriate…
to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor
during
the few days of life God has given them“.
He says yes, find time for fun, but the real joy comes from blessing
others along the way. Self-focused people are in constant self
analysis, but when people are others- focused, “They
seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them
occupied with gladness of heart“.
1 John 4:19 tells us, “We
love because he first loved us“.
Friend, where is your first love?