Friday, September 14, 2012

How Much Is Enough?

SilverBar
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 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? 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. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 KJV)

Yesterday I mentioned there were other good lessons in this chapter. Here Solomon confirms that there isn’t enough silver – or abundance of anything – that can satisfy a man. Whatever is increased also increases things that consume them. It costs to live.

What good are these things – these abundances? That beauty is only in the eye of the owner. Others do not appreciate their wealth.

This ties so well into the lesson Jesus taught:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

The treasure doesn’t have to be tangible, either. The abundance of Ecclesiastes can be anything we put ahead of God. Unfortunately that can be family. It can be attention. It can be leaders – secular or spiritual. There is no end to the possibilities of the things we call treasurers, and we can collect them in abundance. All we get for that is the ability to watch them change.

That watching often costs owners sleep. The last verse confirms the Preacher’s knowledge that a working man sleeps, worn out from his labor. For the rich, there are more worries. A good deal of those worries have to do with keeping his abundance safe from loss.

How much better do we have it when our knowledge includes:

… for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12b KJV)

That’s all for the future, though.  The Preacher has more information for us in chapter 5 for today:

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 KJV)

Enjoy the days of your life.  Since the earth is the Lord’s, all we have is a gift from Him. Laborer or wealthy, it is good to enjoy the gifts from God.  May you enjoy every single day.

2 comments:

  1. God has allowed me to live long enough to realize that things don't make you happy. When I was young it was my focus to have things and do things. I see this same thing in most young people. If only they could learn it young, that the only real happiness is in serving him.

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  2. Each day with those we love is a gift. I know when I lost my Dad I wasn't so much interested in things left behind although I love to look at pictures and remember and I do have a couple things of his that just remind me of him . I have his glasses, might sound silly but I can just picture his sweet face with them. Things don't last and you cannot take them with you what lasts is the love we show others and the love we have in our hearts. Gifts are nice and some "things" help us along in life oh but the memory of the love attached to the gifts and things. That is what lasts. Our real treasure is the rich and full love of God and the best gifts are hands that serve with love

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Thank you for taking time to read and comment on the blog. Comments should take into consideration this verse: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)