God Alone Gives Contentment
December 9, 2019
Commentary
Solomon directs us to eye God as our judge (v. 8), Shows the vanity of riches (vv. 9-17), and recommends the cheerful use of what God has given us (vv 18-20). Not only should we never underestimate God but we should be careful not to overestimate man. Any philosophy that overestimates man will almost always underestimate God. In this passage the author gives three warnings:
1. Beware of the bureaucracy – (vv. 8-9) This passage is clear as one official is watched by a higher one who in turn is eyed by a still higher one. It is true that tyranny is not good, but it may be preferable to anarchy. The rule of a single tyrant is preferable to the rule of a mob.
2. Beware of the mercenary person – (v. 10) We are definitely an affluent society and in an affluent society, lust for money and covetousness are more pronounced. There is emptiness in life even with wealth when that wealth tends to hinder one’s love for God.
3. Beware of the freeloaders – (vv. 11-20) Someone is always ready to pick up more than his share of the loot. One out of every four verses in the Gospels deals with attitudes about money. In fact, Jesus had more to say about money than about heaven and hell put together. In Matt. 6:21 Jesus says, “Where your (money) is, there will your heart be also.”
As we come to a conclusion in this passage the Preacher recommends the adoption of a perspective that will allow a person to enjoy the simple things of this life. The key words of this message are God and gift. Man must view all of the good that passes to him as the gift of God.
Application
My possessions are a gift from God. Although they are not the source to joy, they are a reason to rejoice. I should focus more on the giver than the gift.
Ecclesiastes 5:8– 20 (NET)
8 If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!
9 The produce of the land is seized by all of them, even the king is served by the fields.
10 The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile.
11 When someone’s prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes?
12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant—whether he eats little or much— but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
13 Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.
14 Then that wealth was lost through bad luck; although he fathered a son, he has nothing left to give him.
15 Just as he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil.
16 This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?
17 Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.
18 I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life that God has given them, for this is their reward.
19 To every man whom God has given wealth and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward, and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God.
20 For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.
Illustration: Manufactures Attach Warning Labels to Their Products
Americans are getting warned constantly. Manufactures are growing increasingly wary of being sued when their products are misused, so they are attaching warning labels to hundreds of items. For example, a Batman outfit bears this warning: “Parents, please exercise caution—FOR PLAY ONLY. Mask and cape are not protective; cape does not enable user to fly.” (Our Daily Bread, March 20, 1998).