Ecc. 5:10 - 6:12 - The Folly of the False Attitude Toward & Use of Riches
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Intro:
Intro:
In this lesson, we’re going to talk about the proper delicate balance we should have when it comes to money.
1 Tim. ch. 6 is a parallel passage — Is money the root of all evil?
(No … But the love of money is).
(Read 1 Timothy 6:6-21)
(Read Ecc. 5:10 - 6:12 in its entirety).
Text:
Text:
V. 10 - Have you ever handled some genuine 100% silver or gold coins (.999 % at least)?
How did it make you feel?
Was there a draw to them that you had to make sure and not allow you to become covetous of them?
Gold & silver, gem stones, etc. can easily have that effect!
Again, 1 Tim. 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Most people struggle with this to varying degrees at some point in their lives — And some people never get over this struggle.
James 5:2-3
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
We need these reminders often!
V. 11 - I can relate to this! :D
You just think about growing kids and how much they eat! (And when you keep adding more)! :D
That’s essentially the effect that Solomon brings out here — The more money you have, the more you spend!
Is it not often the case that when some people get a raise, they just start spending a more, so the net difference even though they got a raise is that they are still in the same position they were in before they got a raise!
V. 12 - This verse is a great marker to help us determine if we have the proper view of money or not:
Do we sleep well after a hard day’s work, knowing that we are providing a decent living for our families, and our diligence is paying off? (That’s proper, and Proverbs has a lot to say about that) …
OR … do we lie awake at night constantly thinking about “MORE, MORE, MORE?” (That would be evidence of the being consumed with riches which is covetousness [or materialism], which is idolatry - Col. 3:5 ).
V. 13 - Think — Someone becoming a lonely miser who is just sitting on piles and piles of gold, but all he does is stare at it, and doesn’t use it for good. (not a good steward of it)
Think about Ebenezer Scrooge when you read this …
Think about King Midas (everything he touched turned to gold, including his daughter) …
And think about the parable of the talents (Matt. 25) as well (We have to be good stewards of our time, our abilities, our energy, relationships … and our money).
V. 14 - Maybe you’re familiar with the old song “Heaven Holds All to Me.”
“Earth holds no treasures but perish with using, however precious they be; yet there’s a country to which I am going. Heaven holds all to me.”
“But those riches perish through misfortune” — Misfortune is translated as “travail” in KJV; the meaning is “bad business.”
Essentially, he makes bad business decisions and loses everything — a common lot among many businessmen
“When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand” — He has no inheritance to pass down to his son (We’ve seen the vanity of inheritances from one perspective [just getting passed on to someone who doesn’t appreciate all the work that went into it] … Now we see the other perspective: not HAVING an inheritance to pass down).
V. 15 - See also Job 1:21; Psa. 49:16-17; 1 Tim. 6:7
You’ve never seen a hearse with a luggage rack/U-Haul trailer.
V. 16 - Is this saying that man’s lot of going from nothing (in terms of riches) to whatever he gains in life, then back to nothing — Is it saying that is evil?
Well, I think the word “evil” is not being used as “sinful” like we usually hear it used in the Bible, but …
The idea of “a bad lot,” which it is occasionally used that way - Example: Jonah 3:10 (KJV “evil”)
“Labored for the wind” - similar to “grasping for the wind.”
V. 17 - various ills that happen to man in life.
The problem of evil, pain, and suffering is one of the most popular arguments (if not THE most popular) against God from atheists
How do you answer that? (discussion)
Genesis ch. 1-2 - God created the world “good” (6x), actually “very good” (last time - Gen. 1:31); Gen. 3 - Sin entered the world and “Pandora’s box was opened.”
V. 18 - “For it is his heritage” - (his “portion” or “lot).
It is fine to enjoy life!
This really balances out what we have read previously where Solomon DESPAIRED for life and wished he had not been born.
Again, we have to keep remembering that Solomon is telling us about his outlook he had on life BEFORE he came to the conclusion of the whole matter in 12:13!
He did figure out that there’s nothing wrong at all with enjoying life - God wants us to enjoy it, but we have to keep life in perspective compared to the next life!
V. 19 - “This is the gift of God.”
Jam. 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
V. 20 - In other words, he keeps the proper perspective on life and has proper PRIORITIES!
Matt. 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
a