INSIGHTS INTO THE

MEANING OF LIFE

ECCLESIASTES 5:8-20

VANITY OF WEALTH

INTRODUCTION

• Beginning with this verse and running through 6:12, Solomon will consider various aspects of poverty and wealth

• One must not lose faith in the system• Should we be shocked or dismayed at

the lack of right behavior by men in positions of authority?

• True, system is sometimes corrupt and unfair

• Never forget God is watching and taking note and accountability will be done

ECCLESIASTES 5:8

“If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of

justice and righteousness in a province, do not

marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them."

ECCLESIASTES 5:9,10

“Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the

king is served from the field.

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with

silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase.

This also is vanity."

ECCLESIASTES 5:11,12

“When goods increase, they increase who eat them; So

what profit have the owners except to see them with

their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,

whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him

to sleep."

OPPRESSING THE POOR

• Oppression—”denial of justice.”• Someone always more powerful than

the one doing the oppressing• The oppressor himself must answer to

“higher officials”• This may be why people in the

“higher” authority do nothing about it• Common that people in government

can be corrupt and cover for one another

• Never forget ALL answer to God!

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• The profit of the land is given for all to benefit

• Even a corrupt king will see that the land ultimately produces and provides a benefit—as food for those under his authority

• Here is the 11th vain thing—MONEY or WEALTH

• Solomon is going to enumerate seven reasons why money or wealth is VAIN…

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 1. It cannot satisfy• Well established fact that the wealthy

soon realize happiness and contentment cannot be found in wealth

• Abundance and increase bring no lasting joy– 1 Timothy 6:10– Luke 12:15-20

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 2. It attracts a crowd of dependents

• When they know you have it—they want it!

• More workers to produce more—more debt!

• Think about those who win these large lotteries– Disconnect phones– Remove themselves from the public

access• Solomon observes that those

“relatives” gather like vultures—seeking to drain them of their wealth

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 3. Disturbs one’s peace and restful sleep

• May cause insomnia• Laborers sleep soundly after hard day

of work• Body is tired and needs rest• Rich man is not tired• Hands folded and idle all day long• Riches bring one worries of all sorts

– Psalm 127:2– Proverbs 3:24

ECCLESIASTES 5:13,14

“There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish

through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is

nothing in his hand."

ECCLESIASTES 5:15

“As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor which he may

carry away in his hand."

ECCLESIASTES 5:16,17

“And this also is a severe evil-just exactly as he came,

so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

All his days he also eats in darkness, and he has much

sorrow and sickness and anger."

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 4. It can easily be misused• Riches can be to one’s own hurt• No matter how tightly one holds to

them—they can be lost quickly• When riches are hoarded or guarded it

is inevitable that bad things will occur• So many have wealth but never truly

enjoy that wealth• Can one even obtain and secure their

riches to the losing of their soul?– Matthew 16:26

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 5. It can easily be lost• Rich men often make bad investments• Seek the wrong counsel• Wealth can perish as quickly as it

appeared– Proverbs 23:5

• One thought by his “well-guarded” wealth he can secure his children a future—but now must leave them empty handed!

• Misguided ventures, gambling, reversal of circumstances beyond his control

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 6. It can not be taken beyond the grave

• One can work and work and gather much wealth

• Everyone is physically bankrupt at death– 1 Timothy 6:7– Job 1:21– Psalm 49:16,17

• Only one thing has lasting enduring qualities—heavenly treasures– Matthew 6:19-21– 1 Timothy 6:17-19

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 7. Its loss brings great suffering• A “severe evil”• Gathering wealth, spending time and

destroying good health—can’t take it with him!

• Solomon asked—”what profit has the one who has labored for the wind?”

• Been better to be poor• Darkness=misery• Great vexation-cares and frustrations• Sickness—physical toll on health

WEALTH IS UNSATISFYING

• 7. Its loss brings great suffering• Anger• Reflecting the disgust for the time and

effort wasted on his pursuits• Could be anger for those who caused

his loss• One whose chief goal in life—his wealth

only found despair and emptiness at the end of the quest!

ECCLESIASTES 5:18

“Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in

which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his

heritage."

ECCLESIASTES 5:19

“As for every man to whom God has given

riches and wealth, and given him power to eat

of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor-this is the gift

of God."

ECCLESIASTES 5:20

“For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of

his heart."

SOLOMON CONCLUDES…

• “Here is what I have seen…”• After considering the vanity of hoarding

riches…• “Learn to enjoy” what you have and

what one does—enjoy fruits of one’s labors

• Yet, do so in moderation• “It is fitting”—beautiful • True beauty and peace can be seen in

contentment• “For his heritage”—God wants men

to enjoy their lives—his reward a blessing from God

SOLOMON CONCLUDES…

• “Here is what I have seen…”• Every man that has been given riches• Should enjoy them—God’s gift to

them• Avoid greed and covetousness• Maintain proper perspective• What to do with it—where it came

from• Wealth without God brings misery• God gave him enjoyment to forget the

darker times in his life• We need to grasp “God’s answer of the

“GOOD LIFE”

CONCLUSION

• Never forget these things are looked at from an “earthly vantage point”

• Searching for the meaning of life, purpose, happiness--strictly from the human viewpoint will leave one empty and frustrated

• Wealth has its place• Never forget all comes from God• Stewards of God’s blessings• Man’s wisdom in handling wealth—

trouble and anguish in the future—inevitable!