OceanSide church of Christ
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Ecclesiastes 5:13 – There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Thought: Riches are fleeting. When they depart, hurt and despair come to their owners. They trusted in them. They relied upon them for their identity, their happiness, and their hope. When they leave, there is an emptiness, a hopelessness, that enters the life of the one who possessed them. Because they measured their lives by their riches, they are nothing when their riches depart. As Solomon said, this is a “sore evil.”
James 5:1-3
Commentary:
A. Definition: sore evil
1. The words “sore evil” are two words in the Hebrew text.
a. Sore involves the idea of sorrow and grief.
b. Evil refers to that which is bad, malignant, and gives pain.
2. LESSON: What many think to be a great source of happiness, riches, turns out to be a “sore evil” in a person’s life.
B. Riches can often become the cause of much hurt and pain in a person’s life.
1. Riches hinder personal relationships.
2. Riches can be taken from a person in a multitude of ways: theft, nature, poor investments, extortion).
3. Riches invite a person to partake in a life of crime.
4. Riches are improperly used and cause one’s health to suffer.
5. Riches change the individual into a person who is proud and arrogant.
6. Riches often cause men to forsake God believing that they are self-sufficient.
7. Riches do not prepare an individual for final judgment.
C. Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Ecclesiastes 5:14 – But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
Thought: Riches can be taken from the wealthy in a variety of ways: a stock market crash, poor investments, robbery, and extortion to name a few. Now the family suffers poverty and hardship. The children of the wealthy find nothing in their hands. What was going to be an inheritance is gone forever. This is another example Solomon gives of vanity within our world.
Proverbs 23:5
Commentary:
A. Because we see rich people in our society positively highlighted so often, we are shut off from some of the realities of riches.
B. There have been many rich people who have made millions only to lose them and become paupers.
1. Example: This has happened to many pro sports figures.
a. “According to a 2009 report by Sports Illustrated, 78% of former NFL players have gone
bankrupt or are under financial stress within two years of retirement, and within five
years of retirement, an estimated 60% of former NBA players are broke”
(Pro AthletesWho Have Lost Millions of Dollars | GOBankingRates).
b. Two main causes:
1) Foolish spending
2) Trusting others to take care of their money
2. Proverbs 23:5
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as eagle toward heaven.
C. The sadness of the loss is found in the second half of the verse: “…and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.”
1. Parents who used to be wealthy and who could have assisted their families for generations to come lose it all.
2. They leave nothing behind.
3. The children are left to struggle and make it on their own because their parents refused to be wise and discreet.
Ecclesiastes 5:15 – As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
Thought: Solomon states a simple and sobering truth. It is a truth that no one can deny. Nothing material that we amass in this world will be taken with us when we die. We can accumulate stockpiles of riches. We can build massive buildings. We can have storehouses filled with goods. When we die, they will remain right here. Nothing will be carried by the individual into the next life. If this is true, why do we give so much attention to things? Something much more valuable deserves our attention.
I Timothy 6:7
Commentary:
A. Whether a rich man takes care of his riches or not, the point that Solomon now makes is a universal truth. When a man dies, he takes absolutely nothing with him, not even the clothes on his back.
1. Back accounts are left in the bank.
2. His plots of land continue to be on the earth.
3. The massive buildings that were built remain at their present address.
4. The numerous homes he possesses can also be found at their same address.
5. His storehouses will remain filled with goods.
B. Solomon was right: He “shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.”
1. Two verses:
a. Job 1:21a
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither…
b. 1 Timothy 6:7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
2. When individuals are placed into caskets, they often have on a suit or a nice dress. Sometimes, they continue to wear a watch or ring or necklace that was prized by them. If these individuals were removed from their graves today, all of those things would still be with their body. We can take absolutely nothing with us.
C. Two questions:
1. If this is true, why do we give so much attention to things?
2. Doesn’t something more valuable actually deserve our attention?
a. Our souls deserve more of our attention.
b. The souls of others deserve more of our attention.
c. Good works deserve more of our attention.
Ecclesiastes 5:16 – And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?
Thought: Solomon continues his thought from yesterday. Man enters the world with nothing. Man leaves the world with nothing. Thus, he asks the question: “What profit hath he that hath laboreth for the wind?” Man works hard. He accumulates many things. Man dies and leaves it all behind. His efforts appear to be futile. The wise man refers to it as “a sore evil.” It happens every day. Man works hard all his life only to die and leave it all behind. Even so, this is the most important thing in life to many.
Psalm 49:16-17
Commentary:
A. Solomon continues the thought of the previous verse into this verse. Note the words: “…as he came, so shall he go…” One comes into the world empty-handed, and he will leave the world empty-handed.
B. Solomon calls this a “sore evil.”
1. Definitions:
a. Strong (2470): grieve, to make one sick
b. BDB: to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become
grieved, be or become sorry
2. The fact that a man comes into the world with nothing, labors all of his life, and leaves with nothing is upsetting.
a. It makes one feel weak.
b. It makes one feel sick.
c. It makes one sorry.
C. The question that he asks is: “What profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?”
1. If a person works 40 hours per week with a 2-week vacation and labors 40 years, he has put in 80,000 of labor.
2. If he works 50 years, he has labored 50 years, he has put in 100,000 hours of time.
3. All of this work and toil and blood and sweat and tears only to leave with absolutely nothing.
4. Truly, what profit is it?
Ecclesiastes 5:17 – All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
Thought: Riches in and of themselves are neither good nor bad. However, great riches tend to separate a man from God. Man tends to trust in his wealth rather than in the living God. Those who allow this to happen are in darkness, separated from the true Light. These individuals may appear to be more than human, but they are not. They, too, experience sorrow, wrath, and sickness. Their appearance is often deceiving. We must remember that riches are not a shield from the human predicament.
II Kings 1:2
Commentary:
A. The Bible reveals that it is difficult for a rich man to get into heaven (Matt. 19:24).
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
1. The causes for this are numerous.
a. They trust in their riches rather than God.
b. They are “self-sufficient” and do not have a sense of dependency on God.
c. Their riches cause them to focus on the here and now instead of the world to come.
2. If these individuals fail to prepare for heaven, they are not Christians. Thus, they walk in darkness.
a. Walking in darkness is a walk apart from God.
b. Walking in darkness is a walk with the evil one.
c. Walking in darkness is a walk in sin.
d. Walking in darkness is a walk without hope.
e. Walking in darkness in a purposeless existence.
B. Too, this man experiences the same problems, difficulties, and struggles as others.
1. “He hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.”
a. They face death.
b. They face broken relationships.
c. They face betrayal.
d. They face the consequences of poor decisions.
e. They face family struggles.
2. They may appear to be “super human,” but they are not. They are simply human beings.
3. Their public appearance is often deceiving.
4. Riches are not a shield from the human predicament.