The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Ecclesiastes 5:13-15,
"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."
It is said that money and the things we possess in this life are discussed in the Bible more than prayer, faith and even salvation! I don't know if that is true or not but I have certainly heard it and read it a number of times. I'm sure you have as well.
As Solomon reports on his investigations into the emptinesses he witnessed in this life, "under the sun", he certainly discussed money, possessions and wealth. Here he points out those things can be lost and, in verse 10, those things don't provide true satisfaction anyway - and he says so because he knew we lacked his observations. Many are consumed with things like: "If only I could get that raise, I could do this or that!" "If only I could win the lottery..." The desire to see some big cash-cow come in or some new toy: the boat, the bike, the 4-wheeler.
We even have churches today that specialize in the very things Solomon found as an emptiness or vanity, the "Health and Wealth" assemblies. Their draw is that if you join up with them, you too can get rich by giving them your money. (Odd, isn't it? You give them your money and God will give you money for it, the more you give them, the richer you get! Of course when you don't get rich, it's because you lacked a certain faith when you gave them your money.)
I like Jesus' teaching on wealth and possessions, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
"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."
It is said that money and the things we possess in this life are discussed in the Bible more than prayer, faith and even salvation! I don't know if that is true or not but I have certainly heard it and read it a number of times. I'm sure you have as well.
As Solomon reports on his investigations into the emptinesses he witnessed in this life, "under the sun", he certainly discussed money, possessions and wealth. Here he points out those things can be lost and, in verse 10, those things don't provide true satisfaction anyway - and he says so because he knew we lacked his observations. Many are consumed with things like: "If only I could get that raise, I could do this or that!" "If only I could win the lottery..." The desire to see some big cash-cow come in or some new toy: the boat, the bike, the 4-wheeler.
We even have churches today that specialize in the very things Solomon found as an emptiness or vanity, the "Health and Wealth" assemblies. Their draw is that if you join up with them, you too can get rich by giving them your money. (Odd, isn't it? You give them your money and God will give you money for it, the more you give them, the richer you get! Of course when you don't get rich, it's because you lacked a certain faith when you gave them your money.)
I like Jesus' teaching on wealth and possessions, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Neither Solomon or Jesus taught it was sinful or immoral to earn money or own things but they do provide the best approach to those things. We need to grasp Solomon's point and follow our Lord's teaching to us.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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