28/1/22. Study 14. Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

 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.

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. What does Qoheleth conclude about the nature of: 

a) wealth? 

 Money and possessions will never satisfy. 

Wealth brings people who take advantage of the wealthy. Lifestyle must be maintained, so that one never has enough (v.11). The rich can see their riches but cannot fully enjoy them because they will worry about maintaining their riches ("the full stomach of the rich", v.12b). In contrast, the physical fatigue of a labourer brings rest.

It is uncertain (cf. 1 Tim 6:17)

Like with many things in life, we can lose wealth from random circumstances (v.14), leading to inability to provide for one's family.

The work we put in to gain the money becomes lost and meaningless "for the wind".

Our true wealth must be in what cannot be lost (cf. Mt 6:19-21)

It cannot be kept beyond the grave

Twice in this passage (vv 15-16) Qoheleth repeats the truth of what Job stated (Job 1:21)when he lost all his possessions:  “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

 

It is a gift of God (vv 18-19)

b) greed? 

 Love of money can never satisfy 

One who loves riches will seek for more .  (cf. Mt 6:24, Lk 16:13) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." ) True love always seeks for more of the beloved.

 

Love of money causes loss of well-being

v.13 suggests that the pursuit/accumulation of wealth 'hurts' us - in terms of our physical, emotional and relational health. The loss of riches that are loved leads to frustration and anger.

 

Christian stewardship is how we reconcile the ideas that money is spiritually dangerous, yet is a gift of God. Seen through the lens of faithful stewardship, we can be at the same time actively using our efforts and resources, yet not to accumulate earthly wealth , but treasure in heaven; not to seek for riches for self, but to please our Master (cf. Mat 25:14-30)

c) public administration?

"Do not be amazed" tells us that injustice is to be expected in the world (cf. 3:16 "More over, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.")

 

 The presence of many levels of officials implies difficulty in obtaining justice because of 1) complex bureaucracy, requiring time to navigate 2) the devolving of responsibility to administer justice to others and 3) the impulse to please one's superiors rather than to do the right thing. There is a possibility that the officials may be motivated by the greed mentioned in the subsequent verses. We should apply this by ourselves seeking to personally help those who come our way.

 v.8 is a difficult text to interpret. It may mean that some government is still better than none, in that authority that can be committed to long-term infrastructure vs a nomadic lifestyle is desirable. It might mean that it is good to have a king personally concerned about agriculture rather than to live in a palace.

 

How does this teaching compare with NT teaching on the topic in 1 Timothy 6 and Philippians 4?

 But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and^[we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 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.

 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

•  Contentment is great gain. greater than wealth.
  
• Don't desire to be rich - don't love money
• The love of money leads to many kinds of evil, including wandering away from the faith.
• The rich should not be proud or to rely on riches, but should be generous, to share their riches and to do good.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. ¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

• We are to be content in want and in plenty though the power of God.
  
• We should support those who spread the gospel.
• This support will result is to our credit and is pleasing to God, who will then supply all our need.
  

2. How can we avoid never being satisfied with money (v.10), and yet enjoy the gifts of God mentioned in vv 18-20?

It is good to be able to enjoy basic things that sustain life (food and drink) as well as our work (cf. 3:12-13 "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man")

The repeated word 'lot' speaks of contentment with what God has assigned us in life. God has assigned our work, the length of our days as well as wealth and possessions. He gives us power to enjoy all these things. When we are content, we then can set aside the thoughts of the aspects of futility of our lives and enjoy life as it comes. 

Since contentment is a gift, we should ask God to help us to be content.

 

3. How would you describe the strength of your attachment to things you own? How do your possessions relate to your sense of security?

We ended up sharing about what we would hate to lose. Some of us are more afraid of losing personal health and capacities rather than posessions. (a bit like Job, who first lost posessions and family, before losing his health)

4. What practical steps can we take to counter an unhealthy love of money and possessions in ourselves?

Through gratitude for the gifts received,  and through giving