Source: http://hillsdalefmc.net/2013/12/05/prosperity-ecclesiastes-58-17/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 04:38:54+00:00

Document:
(v. 13) “Evil” (harm, misfortune, disaster; see at 2:21) is itself a very strong word for the harsh effects of misguided conduct. Yet “severe” (“sick,” “sore”) (grievous – NIV), both here and in verse 16, pushes “evil” beyond its normal range and suggests a calamity of excruciating proportions–a total disaster. “To his hurt” (harm of its owner- NIV) underscores how personal and painful the damage was. Even more agonizing is the hint in “kept (or “guarded”) (hoarded – NIV) by their owner” that he hoarded funds to invest that otherwise his family might have enjoyed, and his whole plan of frugality boomeranged.
v. 10: The more you have, the more you want.
v. 10: The more you have, the less you’re satisfied.
v. 11: The more you have, the more people (including the government) will come after it.
v. 11: The more you have, the more you realize it does you no good.
v. 12: The more you have, the more you have to worry about.
v. 13: The more you have, the more you can hurt yourself by holding on to it.
v. 14: The more you have, the more you have to lose.
The question to be answered is . . . What is Koheleth trying to tell us in the wake of encouraging us to worship?
Answer: Real power and real prosperity cannot be found in mammon (status, riches or things). In fact, more often than not, they create more problems and obstacles to real life. Choose carefully the object of your worship.
If the advertisers are right, we have a lot to feel discontent about. We don’t have enough possessions, and we don’t have them soon enough or up to date enough. Fulfillment is equated with wearing the right kind of clothes, driving the right kind of car, drinking the right kind of beverage.
But the Reformation changed that. The Reformers taught that all believers are called to live holy lives–just as all may read the Bible. Every vocation can be a calling, a way to serve God and the human community. As a result, the Reformation stressed in ethic of honesty, diligence, and thrift–what has been called the Protestant work ethic. It had a profound effect economically. Modern business practices became possible, prosperity blossomed.
Power over another leads to corruption of self.
What you own ultimately owns you.
You think that wealth will make you free.
But I say this: Freedom is not bought, but seized.
Freedom is not the last step, but the first.
You never have enough money.
You never have enough possessions.
Here is the root of your suffering: chasing permanence.
It is a race for the wind, and you drop exhausted from the chase.
and to leave something behind.
Yes. Faith in future grace is intrinsically easy. What could be easier than trusting God to work of you (Isa 64:4), and take care of you (1 Pt 5:7), and giver you all you need (Phil 4:19; Heb 13;6), and strengthen you for every challenge (Isa 41:10). In one sense, faith is the opposite of straining. It is ceasing from the effort to earn God’s approval or demonstrate your worth or merit. It is resting in the gracious promises of God to pursue us with goodness and mercy all our days. Faith is intrinsically easy.
We all build castles in the air, but Solomon warns us not to get too carried away. It’s all an illusion, he says, no matter how it appears–and today’s magazines and TV cameras can make it appear pretty lovely!
Worship point: Realize what a great wealth counselor Jesus is! Investing in His prospectus is eternally secure, pays exponentially great dividends, and benefits all of humanity while working to reward you as the investor. What is there about Jesus not to worship?
Spiritual Challenge: Look long and hard at your life to understand what there is about your heart and mind that is resistant to trusting in the Lord with all your heart so you might make the kind of whole hearted, all-encompassing investment for which Jesus is calling.
Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness. —St. Augustine.
Without him (God), riches are poverty, power is impotence, happiness is misery, glory is despised.
. . . Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .

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