Eld Ko Swee Chay

Oppression and Love of Wealth are Sore Evil (Ecclesiastes 5:8-14)

Introduction

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 warns us that how we approach God matters, for He is in heaven, and we are mere creatures on earth. We ought to worship Him in holiness; come before His holy presence with heart and mind prepared; pay attention to hear and obey His Word; watch our mouth be not rash and guard our heart to not be hasty in prayer and making promises to God. Vows to God (and man) are to be made carefully and thoughtfully. God expects us to keep our vows, for He is a covenant-keeping God. Failure to do so is a sin against God because we bear the Name of Christ.

Under the recurring theme of “the vanity of wealth and materialism”, Ecclesiastes 5:8-14 deals with: 1) the enduring fact of oppression and injustice, 2) the love of wealth is sore evil. The study of these verses will help us to guard against acquiring and hoarding wealth. 

The enduring fact of oppression and injustice (Eccl 5:8-9)

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. ⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

Solomon observed the wickedness in the place of judgment (Eccl 3:16), lamented the injustice and oppression that exist under the sun, and saw the tears of the oppressed (Eccl 4:1-3). In Ecclesiastes 5:8, he returned to the subject of oppression. He wrote that we should not be surprised, amazed, or astonished when we see the poor being oppressed and extorted, and justice and righteousness being perverted. He was not saying these evil deeds are acceptable and we are not to be concerned. The Bible condemns oppression and extortion of the poor for filthy gains. Here Solomon’s focus was how we should think of oppression. He was simply advising us that this is a common thing and inescapable in a world without God (under the sun). To comfort the hearts of the oppressed, Solomon rightly pointed out that God (he that is), who is higher than the kings of the earth and all the high and haughty oppressors (the highest), is watching (regardeth): His eyes are on the oppressed, He hears their cries and will deliver them; He sees the oppressors and their oppressions. God will bring the oppressors to judgement according to His sovereign will and perfect timing. Note that this is with reference to the people of God in Israel. The Gentiles do not know God and live in idolatry. Their cries are to their idols and not to the LORD.   

Man should not commit the sins of oppression and extortion of the poor for greedy gains. Instead, man should recognise and appreciate the common grace of God; He provided liberally from the produce of the earth to all mankind (both the king and the commoners) – fruits, vegetables, wheat, grain, poultry, and meats from the land and seafood from the oceans. Man should be satisfied with the necessities of life God has graciously provided, sufficient for mankind. There is no justification to oppress or extort others for unlawful greedy gains!

The love of wealth is sore evil (Ecclesiastes 5:10-14)

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 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? ¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. ¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. ¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

Solomon had observed a lot about the accumulation of wealth, and its effects on a person. This is one area where he no doubt made many first-hand observations. After all, he was in a position to pursue and enjoy wealth better than anyone else. He was probably the richest man in the world during his time. He had accumulated large amounts of gold and treasures, and he could buy anything he wanted. 

Solomon made several interesting observations to demonstrate that the love of wealth is sore evil:

a. Those who love money and seek it obsessively never find satisfaction. Man is not satisfied with what God has given him. He wants more and more, and hoards more than he needs. The more he gets, the more he wants, and Solomon says, “this is also vanity” (Eccl 5:10).

b. When a businessman expands his business, he would need to spend more, to hire more staff and pay for their salaries; he would need to get a bigger space and pay for higher operating costs. He would face competition; other people would want a piece of the pie. He could only look upon his riches with his eyes!  (Eccl 5:11).

c. The labourer enjoys a good night’s sleep, whether he has little or much; whereas the rich man with abundance but with all his burdens and stresses is unable to enjoy a sound and peaceful sleep (Eccl 5:12).

d. To become rich tends to be hurtful. It makes a man conceited and to have a false sense of confidence and security. He loves the world even more. This draws him away from God and service. This makes him forget it is the Lord who has given him power to get wealth. (Deut 8:18) (Eccl 5:13).

e. Wealth is always uncertain and insecure. Riches can disappear suddenly. Pro 23:5 says, “… for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” We know this happens through bad business deals, misguided ventures, market crashes, inflation, devaluation, or in a sudden reversal of circumstances, leaving no inheritance for the heir (Eccl 5:14). Many have become bankrupt due to Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian war.

Our world idolizes wealth, causing many to place their trust in material possessions that fade away rather than trust in Christ Jesus who is eternal. No matter how much we earn, if our goal is to accumulate wealth, we will never have enough. There is nothing wrong with being rich. Wealth is not wrong. The Scripture never condemns wealth, but condemns the love of money, which is the root of all evil and leads to all sorts of sin. Apostle Paul said, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Tim 6:10). Before Jesus spoke the parable of the rich fool He said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15). Our Lord Jesus wants us to focus our attention on the danger of covetousness, keep a jealous eye upon our hearts, lest covetousness takes root in our heart. He makes it clear that the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy. Beware of covetousness – greedy desire for what we don’t have. We simply cannot elevate money and wealth to the point where it becomes an idol in our hearts.

Conclusion

In this sinful world ruled by Satan, realise the awful reality of oppression and yet don’t be surprised, amazed, or astonished when we see the poor being oppressed and extorted by the ruler or the rich for greedy gains. Considering the common grace of God to all mankind there is no justification to oppress or extort others for unlawful gains. Man who loves wealth will never find satisfaction in wealth. He wants and accumulates more than what he needs. Riches can cause sleepless nights and hurt to a person. Riches can disappear suddenly. Truly a rich man’s life without God is vanity of vanities. “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase set not your heart upon them.” (Ps 62:10). AMEN.