Ecclesiastes 5:10 – He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:  this is also vanity.

 

Thought:  “I hope I win the lottery.”  “I wish I had just a couple of million dollars.”  “I wish I could make $250,000.00 a year.”  “I wish I were as rich as…”  Most common people have made these statements.  We have been deceived into thinking that riches will make our lives wonderful.  The problem is that one is never satisfied with riches and abundance.  Solomon says:  “This is also vanity.”  Isn’t that a thought!  A person can be wealthy beyond measure and still be empty and never satisfied.

 

Luke 12:15

 

Commentary:

 

A.     One of the desires of kings is money.  One of the reasons the poor are oppressed is so the rich can maintain their wealth.

 

B.      But, “he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.”

 

C.     What does it mean to be satisfied?

1.       Definitions:

a..  Strong (7646):  to fill to satisfaction    :- to have enough, to have plenty

b..  BDB:  to be fulfilled, to have one’s fill of

2.       Those who hunger for riches are never satisfied with what they receive.

3.       The accumulation of wealth only produces a desire for more and more.

4.       Abundance and super-abundance does not produce contentment. 

 

D.     Perhaps we need to yearn for something different than wealth.

1.       Instead of winning the lottery, ask to be content.

2.       Instead of being given a couple of million dollars, ask to be satisfied with what you have.

3.       Instead of being willed a huge inheritance, ask to take pleasure in your present possessions.

 

E.      Man wishes for something.  He gets it.  He wishes for more.  Solomon says:  “This also is vanity.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 5:11 – When goods increase, they are increased that eat them:  and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

 

Thought:  The more one possesses, the more people he needs around him to operate and maintain his wealth.  With the increase of goods comes the increase of them that eat them.  Too, what does a person really have after he has acquired a mansion?  A sports car?  A pool?  A second house?  He only has things he can look upon with his eyes.  He only has “things.”  More mouths to feed and things to look at.  Is that happiness?  Or, is it vanity as well?

 

Psalm 119:36-37

 

Commentary: 

 

A.     Solomon has labored and toiled and produced many things:  homes, herds, gardens, wives, etc.

 

B.      He has learned that “when goods increase, they are increased that eat them.”

1.       The more a person has the more individuals there are that are needed to take care of everything:  servants, maintenance, landscapers, chauffeurs, etc.

2.       These individuals partake of part of the riches of the individual. 

a.  There are more concerns to be addressed.

b.  There are more problems that arise.

c.  There are more people that must be pleased.

d.  There are more chances of being wronged.

 

C.     Another problem that those with many goods have is that they can only “behold them with their eyes.”

1.       How often do they really use the things they have:  plates, silverware, cars, pools, clothing, etc.

2.       As I get older, I realize that I do not need very many things. 

3.       QUESTION:  Have you ever purchased something only to lay it aside and never use it? 

a..  If so, why was it purchased? 

b..  Now, the only thing we do it look at it. 

c..  Solomon asks:  “…and what good is there to the owners thereof?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 5:12 – The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:  but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

 

Thought:  It seems that most have a desire to be rich.  However, we fail to understand some of the negative consequences of being rich.  The rich are not able to sleep as well as the laborer.  He is constantly worried about his riches.  Will they be there tomorrow?  Will someone take them from him?  Are his investments making a good return?  Fret and worry are always in the mind of the rich.  A person who works every day to make a living, whether he earns little or much, is able to sleep soundly.  The burden of much wealth does not plague his mind.  In essence, riches are not always a blessing.

 

I Thessalonians 4:11

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Those who work hard, sleep well at night. 

1.       They bodies crave rest and rejuvenation. 

2.       The laborer sleeps well whether he eats little or much.

a.  Sometimes, there is a hardy meal that awaits at the end of the day.

b.  Sometimes, there is simply a bowl of cereal.

 

B.      “But the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”

1.       The rich have much on their minds at the end of the day.

a.  Can I deal with the problem at the business?

b.  Will my investments continue to make money?

c.  Can I repay this loan?

d.  Who is plotting against me?

e.  Are all of my goods safe?

2.       Fret and worry plague the minds of the rich.

3.       LESSON:  Riches can bring more problems into a person’s life than they do blessings.  Sleep is a blessing.  It impacts so many things in our lives (11 Health Benefits of Sleep). 

a.  Live longer

b.  Improved memory

c.  Inflammation levels decrease

d.  Creativity increases

e.  Improved performance

f.  Improved grades, clearer thinking

g.  Better focus

h.  Weight control

i.   Lower stress

j.   Fewer accidents

k.  Improved mood