FEB 11

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
Memorise Ecclesiastes 5:12
"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver"

CAN RICHES SATISFY?

As much as Solomon exhorts man to worship and fear God, he knows that man will continue to worship riches and wealth, and so for the rest of this chapter, he returns to this theme and again shares his observations and exhortations concerning riches.

Firstly, from verses 10-12 he observes that no matter how much wealth one accumulates, he will never be satisfied with the abundance of wealth alone. In his greed he will always desire more, and he will love not so much the money itself, but will become addicted to the abundance and increase of it. Then as one labours for this wealth, and as his goods increase, he will definitely have to share his wealth, for he will have to employ men to take care of his business and manage the abundance of his wealth. And so because he loves his silver so much, it will be painful to part with his wealth, and see other people eat of the fruits of his labour.

Instead, Solomon sees that the sleep of a man who does an honest day’s work, who collects a fixed salary has sweet rest, even if he eats only a little. However, for all the wealth of the rich man, because of the riches he has, and the headaches that are associated with it, he is not able to sleep, but is left worrying and fretting over the fate of his money. How true isn’t it, and in our affluent and wealthy society, people seem to be so much more troubled and world-weary, than the man in the village who lives a simple but contented and joyful life.

Dear teen, which would you rather be? Do you still think that more money and more wealth will definitely result in greater happiness? The culture around us pressures us to strive for success, and always aim to get the best paying jobs and ascend rapidly up the social ladder. As Christians, we must not allow ourselves to conform to the world, and be like them in chasing after materialistic success. We must take heed to Solomon’s warnings, to know that riches alone can never satisfy us. Instead, we seek after godliness with contentment, for then can we have the sweet sleep of a labouring man.

Thought: Sometimes, all the money in the world cannot promise a good night’s rest.
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to stay apart from the materialistic ambitions of the world.