Greed and Contentment

Ecclesiastes 5:8–12 ESV

8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 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.

vv. 8-9 The Fact of Corruption

Have you ever noticed how there is always someone watching us and over those watching us others are watching them? This is especially true in the workplace. We all have those that we answer to and know we are being watched by a higher power.

The second part says do not be amazed at this because even tyranny is better than anarchy. A developed country needs the strength of a central government even if it entails the burden of being watched.

However, at the heart of all of this is the fact of God’s ultimate judgment on those who use their power to pervert the course of natural justice.

“A King who is committed to cultivating fields.”

We are not entirely sure what the preacher means by ‘king himself is served from the field.’ It could mean despite all the corruption in world governments, there is still a king overruling the land. However, on the other hand, even though the king himself is part of the corrupt system that feeds himself, may give us a more accurate picture from King Solomon’s perspective.

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The Cause of Corruption v. 10

Money, Money, Money, Show me the money!

Now we come back to the all-encompassing theme of Ecclesiastes the idea of wealth and satisfaction. King Solomon is uniquely qualified to speak on this subject because he is one of the wealthiest men who lived during ancient times.

The New Testament companion text to our subject of money and contentment today is in Paul’s letter to Timothy. 1 Timothy 6:9-10

1 Timothy 6:9–10 ESV

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 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.

Remember that the love of money grows by what it feeds on. However, the bigger issue may be bred more subtly in general from discontent: A longing not necessarily for more money but for inward fulfillment.

If anything is worse than the addiction that money brings, it is the emptiness that it leaves behind. The person with eternity in their heart needs better nourishment than this.

The Wealthy

It is virtually impossible for the average man to imagine immense wealth. Bill Gates, the creator of the Microsoft empire, is estimated to be worth nearly sixty billion dollars, making him the richest man in the world.

The children of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, are reputed to be worth over seventy-four billion dollars. There is little doubt that, comparatively, Solomon was as wealthy as any multi billionaire of our generation. Money attracts money, so they say, and the Queen of Sheba, no pauper herself, brought him a fortune.

But there has to be a point where wealth becomes so vast it renders itself meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 5:13–20 ESV

13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 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. 16 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? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

1. How can we find Joy in a Materialistic World?

What does not bring you joy in a materialistic World?

(1). More stuff does not bring more Joy.

Ecc. 5:10-11. We will never be satisfied with any amount of wealth or with the income that we make if we are looking for it to bring us happiness.

(2). Things that do not bring peace cannot bring joy.

v. 12 reminds us that having a lot of wealth does not help you sleep better and more secure at night. In fact, you do not find more rest and happiness you find that your problems are multiplied therefore there is no joy.

v.16 Things of the world will always fail to satisfy because our hearts are longing for what only heaven can fulfill.

(3). Riches Apart from God cannot bring you joy

Eccl. 5:13 “Riches were kept by their owner to his hurt.”

Riches grow pride and lead to self-reliance until eventually you forget about God altogether. (Deut. 8:11-18).

1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

First Grievous Evil: Riches that are kept for ourselves, and eventually will be lost to bad investments and are left with nothing in our hands. Uses the same language as Job “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will leave this world with nothing to show for all our work at building up wealth.

(4). Temporary things cannot bring us lasting happiness and joy.

Eccl. 5:14 “Riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is the father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.”

We cannot trust in our money. Sometimes we lose it in the pursuit of more through bad investments and at other times, it just vanishes. How can we find lasting joy in something so unreliable?

Proverbs 23:4–5 ESV

4 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

(5). Things from a cursed world cannot satisfy the eternal desire of our soul.

Eccl. 5:15-16 - “As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again .....

Second Grievous Evil:

The bitter person is going to leave this world just as he came and there is no gain from all his work to acquire material things.

Every material thing is limited to our usage during this temporary stay on planet Earth. It is futile to think we can satisfy eternal spiritual desires with material things from a world that is “passing away”

1 Corinthians 7:31 ESV

31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

“It is fitting 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.”

The writer recognizes that we only have a few short days here on this earth to enjoy all that God has given us to enjoy.

What Brings us Joy in a Materialistic World?

*We find Our Joy in being a Child of God.

Joy and the exhortation to rejoice is a theme found throughout Scripture.

However, the word ‘joy’ does not appear in Genesis 1-11, it is implied by the theology of blessing and embodied in the human response to the good creation that is made as a home for humanity.

So, the theme of Salvation as it is developed in the OT and is fulfilled in Christ is constantly associated with great joy.

In the Pentateuch rejoicing is associated with the yearly festivals, presented in God’s presence.

Deuteronomy in particular emphasizes joy in God’s presence. Deuteronomy 12:7

Deuteronomy 12:7 ESV

7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.

The feastings in particular are presented as a participation in the blessings given to the nation of Israel.

Every time we gather together as the Journey church we are rejoicing in the harmonious fellowship and relationship that we have together as the body of Christ. Remember that in Acts 2 when the Church gathered it said that they had all things in common.

Look at what Jeremiah writes about rejoicing in the blessing of being one of His Children.

Jeremiah 31:12 ESV

12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.

Jeremiah evokes a theme of redemption in terms of the goodness of the Lord and speaks of grain, wine, and oil so that the life of the redeemed will be like a watered garden. This is speaking of the original garden, Eden, which indicates that redemption will cover God’s creation purpose of blessing and the human response of rejoicing follows in Jeremiah 31:13

Jeremiah 31:13 ESV

13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

*We find Our Joy in the Fulfillment of Our Salvation.

Jesus encompasses our joy.

This theme is made clear, particularly in the gospel of Luke.

(1). We see this early in Luke in what is called the Magnificat, in which Mary rejoices in God. “My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

(2). The theme of the Messianic banquet draws on Deuteronomy, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah.

(3). A powerful image of this is the feasting and joy that takes place when the prodigal son returns home from his wandering.

(4). Disciples are called to follow Jesus with Joy. (a major theme throughout Paul’s Epistle writings).

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

(5). The Call to find joy in the middle of our Trials.

James 1:2 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

1 Peter 4:12–13 ESV

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

We have a taste of the Joy that is to come

The moment that we embrace the fulfillment of our Salvation in Jesus Christ we are the recipients of gifts the world will never know or be able to give us.

* We are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world.” - 2 Peter 1:4.

*We have the Spirit of god dwelling in us. - 2 Timothy 1:14.

How can anyone possible partake in the very nature of God and have the Holy spirit dwelling in them and not experience this kind of joy.

*We find our joy in the knowledge of the fullness of joy waiting for us.

1 Peter 1:18 ESV

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We have the guarantee of heaven and joys everlasting that is beyond anything this world could possibly understand. This is a kind of joy that can never be taken away. This kind of assurance has been enough to give those who have come before us, including Christ, joy even in the middle of great suffering.

2. How Can We Find Contentment in a Materialistic World?

The Farmer

My grandpa was a farmer all of his life. People who have never lived the farm life assume that it is normal to get an annual raise, to earn more this year than they did last year. As a farmer, my grandpa would have good years and bad years. It all depended on the rain cycles at the right time, dry days for harvest, and no damaging storms. Some years he had more; some years he had less.

It was on of those indelible moments of stunning clarity I had as a child watching my grandpa farm. The “law of the harvest” - some years being fat and others being lean - applies to much more than agriculture.

Growing in spiritual maturity requires gratefully accepting the “seasons of more” and the “seasons of less” that God weaves into specific areas of our lives - our friendships, marriage, career, finances, ministry, and spiritual growth.

The Future: Futility or Faith?

The key is not how much or how little we have but rather how we view what we do have.

The end of chapter 5 reminds us to enjoy the great gifts that God has given us instead of having an appetite for and craving more, more, and more.

“Enjoy food, enjoy drink, enjoy your work, and enjoy your spouse and your family because until you enjoy what you already have, new things will not help satisfy you.” Why should God provide more for you if you are not content with what He has already given you?

Sometimes we can be so concerned about what we do have or do not have, and how can we hold on and keep it all for ourselves, that we fail to enjoy and show true gratitude for what we have been given!

Ecclesiastes 6:1–2 ESV

1 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.

The preacher is writing from the position and perspective of a man who has pursued happiness and fulfillment apart from God. yet, at the same time, he is someone who has known God, believes in God, and yet wanders away from him. He begins with two principles (vv. 1-2); illustrates and develops them (vv. 3-9); and finally, puts them into perspective in (vv. 10-12).

CONTENTMENT: a state of happiness and satisfaction; freedom from worry or restlessness.

The first two verses remind us that the ability to even find enjoyment in anything comes from God.

“God gives man wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires.”

The King who asked for Wisdom and became Wealthy

2 Chronicles 1:12 ESV

12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

God fulfilled his promise in regards to riches and possessions, however, what escapes king Solomon is the ability to enjoy what he has been given. What makes this story even more perplexing is that someone else will enjoy that for which the man worked so hard to obtain in this world.

Everyone is flooding into our country looking for the American dream, however, even if you happen to attain the so called American dream, for most people they will find it is an ultimate nightmare. There was a reality show that came out some years ago that documented past lottery winners. What they found out is that the gain of so much wealth brought great trouble and chaos into their lives. Many of them wound up broke either by bad investments or spending it all away.

Ecclesiastes 6:3–6 ESV

3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?

Note: Contentment goes beyond merely being satisfied with possessions. (Family and Length of Life)

(vv. 3-6)

Children and Age

People throughout history have tried all kinds of things to turn back father time to age, but at the end of the day, age will eventually win that battle. No matter how many injections you get or if you are going the cryogenic route at the end of the day this is all futile.

The preacher now uses an illustration that would be familiar to his Hebrew readers. A large family and a long life were considered to be typical signs of God’s favor. However having such an amazing blessing, without the God who gives the ability to rejoice in it, draws the comparison to a Mega Methuselah and a stillborn child! Both will return to the darkness. The child, with no name, has not even glimpsed the sun, but he is better off than the taste of the blessings that he could not truly enjoy.

*When we find contentment in God, we can freely pursue God’s mission faithfully and effectively.

Finding God’s place in our life is about being at the center of his will, when circumstances are beyond our control, we can still find peace. Paul suffered countless imprisonments, hardships, beatings, and loss; yet he was able to make this statement at the end of Philippians:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”

Learn to Recognize the Worlds Temptations:

We may assume that we are not materialistic and that we find our contentment in God alone, however, clever marketing schemes will try to distract you and create a hunger for more. Whether it is the next newest technology gadget that we just have to have, the ideal income level to be happy, or that “dream home,” you may find yourself wrestling with contentment today.

We need to find healthy habits that will constantly point you back to God as the central focus to your life is the best way to deal with the ongoing challenge of remaining content. Ask yourselves these questions.

1). What lies am I believing that are leading me away from being content in this moment? (rich young ruler)

2). If I do achieve the level of success I’m shooting for, or if I get the item I really want, is that going to bring me long term happiness? Am I trying to achieve happiness through this purchase or goal?

3). Am I content.

Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus gives us two markers of ultimate contentment in Him.

1). Our contentment should be evident in our Kingdom perspective.

Our lives should be oriented towards the treasure in heaven (vv. 19-21). Jesus reinforces this by the parable of the eye (vv. 22-24). The ancient world thought about the eye and the sense of sight a little differently than the modern world. The eye takes light in and so allows for the illumination of the entire body. The idea here is that what you look at determines what your inner life is going to look like. Jesus wanted his hearers to look at the future kingdom of heaven and to allow the light of the kingdom to illuminate everything inside of them.

Those who have a qualitatively different kind of righteousness, that is, a righteousness that flows from a heart changed by God, should no longer be consumed with the things of this world. Now, this does not mean that if we ever struggle or give in to the pull of the world, that we are not disciples of Jesus.

There is an “already-not yet” aspect to the Christian life. We are already saved, but we are not yet in heaven. We are not perfected. We are not glorified. There will always be a struggle in this life. Nevertheless, Jesus’ point is that even though we will still battle these ungodly ambitions, and even fail many times, there ought to be at least a competing desire in our hearts for the glory of God and for the kingdom of righteousness. On some level, we should be able to pray with sincerity, “Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:9–10).

2). Our contentment should be evident in a Changed Desire.

Notice that Jesus mentions three different behaviors in 6:1-18; Giving (vv. 2-3), prayer (vv. 5-14), and fasting (vv. 16-18). Just to be clear Jesus is not telling his disciples to abandon these things but to do them in such a way that in manifests God-glorifying desires.

There is no denying it as disciples of Christ we continue to struggle with the desire for man’s approval. At times we desire the applause of men and we seek to win their approval, but there should at least be combat done against such desires. Our ultimate desire should be for God’s recognition regardless of what man says. We should not give in order to impress others, we should not pray in a way that makes us feel more spiritual than others, and we should not fast so that others are aware of our supposed humility before God.

New Ambitions in Life

Instructions given in vv. 31-33

The one who has experienced a different kind of righteousness that is not of this world that flows from a heart changed by God, should not longer be consumed with the things of this world.

We are not yet perfected and glorified therefore, there will always be a struggle in this life. Jesus point is that even though we will still battle these ungodly desires and ambitions, and even fail many times, there should be at least a competing desire in our hearts for the glory of God and for the kingdom of righteousness.

At some point in our Christian walk we should be able to pray with some since of sincerity, “Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

CONCLUSION

Righteousness is the proper ordering of life according to the way God desires things to be.

Sin brings disorder to life and this disorder brings a profound anxiety about our existence.

Once the kingdom of heaven dominates a person’s thinking, they know that the future is assured by the Father who cares, and this transforms all of life. But how does this reorientation towards the coming kingdom of heaven take place?

Whose shoes are you standing in, in order to see or hear what Jesus is doing? Are you standing in the shoes of the world that is drowning out the eternal treasures of heaven, or are you standing in Jesus shoes seeing the eternal perspective of this world and all that is in it?

How does the kingdom perspective manage to change life? Why is this perspective so difficult to have?

What lie are you believing today?

What truth did you once believe but no longer believe because it is being drowned out by the pursuit of worldly treasures?

I searched the world but it couldn't fill me

Man's empty praise and treasures that fade

Are never enough

Then You came along and put me back together

And every desire is now satisfied here in Your love

Chorus 1

Oh there's nothing better than You

There's nothing better than You

Lord there's nothing

Nothing is better than You

“Can you sing with all sincerity today, that there is nothing better than Jesus in your life?

The empty praises and treasures of men all fade away in the backdrop of His glory and grace.”

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace.”