Ecclesiastes
6:1-6
Satisfaction
with Wealth
-
6:1
I have seen another evil under the sun,
and it weighs heavily on men:
2
God gives a man wealth, possessions and
honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart
desires, but God does not enable him to
enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them
instead.
This is
meaningless, a grievous evil.
3
A man may have a hundred children and live
many years; yet no matter how long he
lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity
and does not receive proper burial, I say
that a stillborn child is better off than
he.
4
It comes without meaning, it departs in
darkness, and in darkness its name is
shrouded.
5
Though it never saw the sun or knew
anything, it has more rest than does that
man- 6
even if he lives a thousand years twice
over but fails to enjoy his prosperity.
- Do not all go
to the same place?
This
is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to
change the way that we think, and the way
that we live.
Commentary
by Bob
Pardue
Work for
Financial Success but Take Time to
Live
We live in a
materialistic and success-driven world.
Americans in particular are considered
rich when compared to many other areas of
the world.
But, with all our
prosperity, are we really happy and
content? You don't have to be rich to be
happy nor do you have to be poor to be
miserable.
Solomon is saying
that wealth is of absolutely no use to us
if we do not take time to enjoy it. The
wealthy people who have discovered this
fact are healthy, better adjusted
individuals. The ones who have not learned
this simple principle are doomed to live
in misery no matter how many millions they
earn.
So, work if it makes
you happy but take some time to enjoy the
fruits of your labor. You'll be amazed at
how your outlook on life will change. And,
your family will thank you for it.
d:-)
In addition to
taking time for yourself, take some time
to consider God who gave you the talents
to create your wealth.
No matter how much a
person accumulates in this life or, no
matter how long she lives, she will not
enjoy that life without God.
People spend all
their time and effort in order to live
longer and collect more "stuff" but don't
spend the time need to gain eternal life
with God.
It only takes one
small step (below) to accept Christ and
begin your walk with God.
Are you satisfied
with just working and buying time on this
earth? Remember, as Solomon said in verse
five, we are all going to end up in the
grave so the decision is up to you as to
where you want to spend your time after
you die.
With God, through
the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your
Savior, it doesn't have to end there. When
you start living this life with the end in
mind you will view things from a totally
different perspective. Make your choice
today and experience true joy in your
life.
Love in
Christ
- Bob
If you have never made
the commitment to receive the love and
life-changing experience of Jesus Christ,
please take a moment to go
here and
take the first
steps to
salvation.
Bob
Pardue is a
member of First
Baptist Church
in Lancaster, SC. He is ordained from Rich
Hill Baptist in Lancaster.
Want
to place this passage and commentary on
your website or e-zine for
content?
This article about
satisfaction with money may be freely
reprinted or distributed in its entirety
in any e-zine, newsletter, blog, or
website. The author's name, bio, and
website links must remain intact
and be included with every
reproduction.
Bob
Verses are from Life Application
Study Bible: New International
Version
Comments are welcome. Please
email
me with any questions or
comments you may have.
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