©Bonnie LaBelle
Chapter 5:10-20 (ESV) - He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 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.
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. 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. 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.
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.
Question to consider: What does Solomon mean by ‘when goods increase, they increase who eat them?’
After dealing with corruption and oppression in society, Solomon turns to the corrupted heart of an individual who loves money and all of the problems this creates. The apostle Paul reiterated this sentiment in his first letter to a young pastor named Timothy, “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.” (1 Timothy 6:10). Despite these warnings from Solomon, there were false teachers in the early church (and still today) who professed (profess) that the Christian life can be one of health and prosperity if someone only has enough faith to sow a seed offering into their ministry.
Paul expressed to Timothy that godliness and contentment are a great gain because he learned from Solomon in today’s passage that one who made an idol of their money was never satisfied. Solomon saw this as vanity because the more wealth one obtains, the more people show up with their hands out. Just ask any young athlete who signs a professional contract for their sport. A laborer may have a simple job, but when the day is done, they are content with their wage, tired from a good day’s work, and have no cares to interrupt their sleep. The more wealth one obtains, the more work is required to keep it, and the complexities of maintaining all of these things causes stress and sleepless nights.
One of the stressful thoughts is that all of it is temporary. Solomon already recognized that we have eternity in our hearts. We know deep down that there is something beyond death, and yet all the wealth we accumulate in this world remains in this world. How sad is it that someone can spend so much time and energy accumulating something they can’t take with them and never actually take the time to enjoy?
One of the great lies of the “American Dream” is that we should spend our youth working and saving up for some glorious time in the future when we can retire from all work and enjoy the good life. Calling it a lie may seem like an exaggeration since there are some who successfully save for retirement. However, even if someone saves up what they think is enough to achieve this state, chances are they only enjoy themselves for a short period of time before they get bored or encounter some unexpected health condition.
Solomon doesn’t criticize the accumulation of wealth but the love of it. He recognizes that our time on this earth is short so we should enjoy the successes as they come. He is not saying people should foolishly spend every penny they earn. He’s already dealt with the emptiness of making idols of ourselves and indulging every pleasure. His advice is to live with contentment and joy, for these are gifts from God.
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for giving us food to eat, a place to live, and clothes to wear. May we be content with what You have given us and sleep with the clear conscience of an honest day’s work. Help us to be joyful and generous in all circumstances. Amen.