Ecclesiastes
Lesson 4Ecclesiastes 5:1-20
As we move to Chapter 5 in our study of Ecclesiastes, much of what we read reminds us of the world around us. You’ll notice that with only a small amount of observation that we can find real world examples of many of things that Solomon points out in this chapter about the world around us and its constant focus on money, wealth, and the accumulation of it. For example, in considering the annual reports by Fortune Magazine of the world’s wealthiest people, I found one thing very interesting: When they were asked who they would most like to have a conversation with if they could pick anyone, many of them chose themselves.
Chapter 5 is interesting in yet another way because Solomon also finds good things to say about prospering and enjoying what God gives us. We have as much to learn about being prosperous as we do about being a humble servant, and Solomon gives us a good shove in that direction as well. I think you will find this week’s lesson and discussion both interesting and enlightening.
Let’s read Chapter 5 this week and complete the following:
- Read the following New Testament verses and jot down what each of them teaches us about wealth:
- Matt 19:24
- Matt 6:19-21
- Luke 12:15-21
- Based on the verses above it would appear that having wealth or gaining wealth is a bad thing that can keep us from entering heaven and having an eternal relationship with God. Is that what these verses teach, or is it something else?
- Read the following verses and jot down what each of them teach us about wealth and talents:
- Proverbs 3:5-10
- Matt 25:14-30
- Based on these verses can we conclude that God wants us to prosper? What do these verses taken collectively tell us about what God expects of us while we are here on earth as it relates to how we are to live our lives?
- Read Chapter 5, verses 1 and 2 and compare them to James 1:19-20, what truth to they teach us that will help us to live and grow as better followers of Christ?
- Compare chapter 5 verses 3 through 5 with Matthew 5:36-37. What is God teaching us with these verses?
- Read verse 10. Can you think of an example of seeing this verse played out in your life, or in the life of someone you know? Why is this verse so?
- Read verse 12, what is this referring to? What does Solomon mean the full stomach of a rich man does not allow him to sleep?
- In verses 13 through 17 Solomon writes of the life of a wealthy man. What Solomon describes is something we see very commonly today, can you think of at least one example?
- In the closing verses of Chapter 5 Solomon actually finds good in enjoying the material possessions God has given us. He writes that it is fitting to eat and drink, and specially to enjoy what? (Verse 18)
- In verse 19 the wealthy and the rich Solomon writes he should enjoy his labor. Why is the wealthy or rich person in this verse to enjoy what he has, but elsewhere Solomon has written that there is no joy or rest for the wealthy?
- In verse 20 we also see something the rich and wealthy do not have, the person in verse 20 never looks back or regrets what has passed. Why is that?
I think if you were to ask most Christians, they would tell you how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. We are raised with that one teaching by Christ hammered into us, and I have to admit that as a child I could never imagine a camel going through the eye of a needle Further, since we are also taught that money is the root of all evil, I quickly concluded as a child that money, wealth, and being "rich" were all "bad"; so if I ever got any money, I would spend it right away since I had decided that there was just no way to be successful, prosperous, or have any significant wealth—if you wanted to go to heaven, that is. Sound familiar?
I then wondered how Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon (just to name a few) would ever make it to heaven if that really was the criteria. You see, what had happened to me (and it happens to many people) is we take scripture out of context, mix in our own preconceived notions of what being "humble" means, add our predisposition to defining Christianity as a faith of poverty and struggle, and we naturally conclude that being successful and having a good job and a nice home is all somehow wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting for a moment that these are the things that our lives are to be focused on, nor am I suggesting that only "good Christians" are "blessed" with wealth and success—and furthermore, that those who have little must have sinned somehow. This is the way that the Pharisees thought about the Jews. In fact, if we examine everything that we are taught regarding our finances, possessions, jobs and so on, we will readily see a different picture.
Consider, for example, what Christ taught us about the man with ten talents, the man with five talents, and the man with one talent. He taught us that they were to be diligent with as much or as little as they had been given; and he rewarded the two men who doubled the amount they were given, but not the man who basically put his talent in the bank to protect it. He also taught us that "to whom much is given, much is expected". In several examples, Christ uses the parable of the land owner who trusts his estate to his servants while he travels away on business; even there, we are taught to be good stewards and to always be striving to do the best and get the best for the master.
God wants us to prosper. If we had the time, we could do a word search on prosper and find many examples of God’s desire for us to prosper. So what is it that Solomon warns us about riches, and that Christ also taught about? Answer: It is our motivation and attitude that is fundamental to the issue. Do you assume that all that you have truly comes from God, or do you assume that it comes from all your hard work? Do you work to accumulate wealth, or is your first priority God’s kingdom? Yes, as working class people, we have secular jobs and employers to answer to; but even for those cases, we can and should be working and investing in the kingdom.
If your driving force is simply getting ahead, showing the boss why you should be the next to be promoted, or trying to get one-up on a competitor, you probably are not seeking God’s kingdom first. Again, don’t misunderstand: we are to do our best for our children, our neighbors, our employers. Working so that you succeed in what ever you do is good, as long as our motivation is to please God. This is what lies at the foundation of Solomon’s thoughts. That wealth, success, job security (if such a thing exists), a nice home, and all that these things entail, is meaningless—or vanity—without God at the center.
There are times, however, when we do succeed because God gives us that success. Sometimes our success is almost overwhelming along the lines of what Christ taught, i.e., that He would give us blessings that are pressed down and overflowing from God to the point that it is almost unbelievable. But then, what do we do with the success and the riches? Can we actually enjoy them, or is this evil and vanity also? What is our responsibility when God richly blesses us with material and career success? Is it simply a reward that God gives us, or is there perhaps a deeper purpose behind it? Our look this week at Chapter 5 teaches us that God does provide good things to His people, and it is okay to enjoy our labor and the fruits of that work.
But we always need to be mindful that all we have comes from God and comes with a purpose. If we are not careful, our focus will shift from advancing God’s kingdom to protecting our wealth, or wanting to accumulate more. We can easily fall into the trap of the rich man that Solomon describes. God will provide us wisdom and discernment concerning wealth, success and prosperity.
Are we working to rightly invest the talents God has given us, and the time, opportunities, resources, gifts and material blessings that He provides? Will Christ return and see that we have doubled the investment Christ has made in us? Is our focus and our "investment horizon" on the right things? These are all questions that we need to stay focused on, so that as we live our lives in this material world, we do not become ensnared by the lies and snares associated with having or wanting to accumulate wealth.
Let’s rejoice in what God has provided us, and seek out new opportunities to work and invest in His kingdom. When success comes, let’s praise God for it, and then seek to understand why He provided it to us. What better thing can we invest our lives and our possessions in then those eternal treasures, and in advancing the Kingdom of God?
Let’s conclude our study this week by reading and meditating on 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
In Christ,
Wes
[2017]