22. Understanding Riches (4)

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Hymns: RHC 353 God Will Take Care Of You 354 God Leads Us Along 355 Day by Day

Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes

(Remember Now Thy Creator)

– Understanding Riches (4)

Ecclesiastes 6:1-3

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

 

OUTLINE

(1) God is the Giver of All Blessings and the Power to Enjoy It. 

 

INTRODUCTION

Andrew Murray in his classic book on the subject of “Humility” wrote:

“When God created the universe, it was with the objective of making those He created partakers of His perfection and blessedness, and of showing in it the glory of His love, His wisdom, and His power.”

He tells us:

“God wished to reveal Himself in and through created beings by communicating to them as much of His own goodness and glory as they were capable of receiving. But this did not mean that man was given something which he could possess in itself, or a certain life or goodness of which he had the charge and disposal. By no means.”

He wants us to first understand man’s position in the light of God’s created order. He tells us:

“As God is the ever-living, ever-present, ever-acting One – who upholds all things by the Word of His power, and in whom all things exists – the relationship of man to God could only be one of unceasing, absolute, universal dependence.”

 He exhorts us to recognize the truth that man’s relationship with God is one of unceasing dependence.

This order of affairs between the Creator and His most prized creation, man, endowed with an eternal soul that is cast in His image, must be duly acknowledged:

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Gen. 1:26a-27 (KJV)

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Gen. 2:7 (KJV)

And so Murray explained:

“As truly as God by His power once created, so truly by that same power must God, every moment, maintain. Man need only look back to the origin of existence and he will acknowledge that he owes everything to God. Man’s chief care, his highest virtue, and his only happiness, now and through all eternity, is to present himself as an empty vessel in which God can dwell and manifest His power and goodness. The life God bestows is imparted not once and for all, but each moment continuously, by the unceasing operation of His mighty power.”

God is the Creator of the universe and in particular of man but He is also Sustainer of it. All things have their continued existence by the particular providence of God. So what is God’s message for mankind? According to Murray, it is that man may prosper in the light of God’s created order by his entire dependence upon God. This he defined as the virtue of humility:

“Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of man. It is the root of every virtue.”

He said this so that we may take the time to ponder how this virtue may be cultivated in our lives. That dependence upon God comes with a willingness to submit to His will for our lives. Having God with us, and heaven to look forward to, let us therewith be content.

Solomon carries for us the idea of the snare of riches in chapter 5 into this new chapter with further insight. He tells us of the typical measures of prosperity in this life – wealth, honours, children and long life. He tells us these are useless to a man if he is not able to enjoy them.[1] For sickness, affliction, or worldly disappointment, restrained the blessing.

One thought for our consideration:

  • God is the Giver of All Blessings and the Power to Enjoy It.

 

(1) God is the Giver of All Blessings and the Power to Enjoy It

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

 Bridges observed, “it seemed to have been a judicial infliction. He did not use the gifts of his bountiful Father for their rightful purpose. Most justly therefore is he deprived of their blessing. ‘From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.’ (Matt. 25:29) ‘Because he has not the will to serve God with it, God denies the power to serve himself with it.’ His portion, the stranger eateth.”[2]

Bridges said well, “Some artful interested person has smoothed his way into the miser’ god graces, and melted away his substance. Thus “he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.” (Psalm 39:6).

Truly we must not “count our chickens” but realize that whatever we have in this world is not lasting, we do not know if we will live to experience the next day – Psalm 39:4-5 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

 As such, let us realize the fleeting nature of wealth, honours, children and long life on earth. Let us be the best steward of these gifts that God bestows upon us but not allow these to displace our affection for Him.

Luke 12:19-20 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

 But if we have God with us, even if we do not have all the good things of this life, we shall be satisfied with eternal life as we learn from the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus did not have all the good things of this life but he trusted God. When he died, his soul is taken to heaven. But for the rich man, his soul was taken to hell. He experienced eternal torment.

Luke 19:12-27 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

This parable focuses on the one who buries his talents. God has blessed him but he was not a good steward of God’s blessing to him. He faces God’s chastisement.

The only advantage to be had from earthly acquisitions is present enjoyment. But it was remarked likewise, that this is the gift of God, and is not in any man’s power, except it be given him from above. [Clarke]

The blessing of children is a gift from God. Yet, they can be taken away from us.

Job experienced this sadness in his lifetime. He lost his wealth, children and servants in one day. He learned to submit to the will of God. God allowed Satan to try Job.

Job 1:8-22 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

 We notice that Job submitted to God’s will for his life. Although he did not understand why such calamity will befall him, he trusted God during these most difficult moments by casting all his care upon the Lord.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The Christian can seek God in prayer and find solace and comfort from the promises of God’s Word.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We should learn to be still before God and continue to trust Him even though the world around us seemed to be tumbling before us.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, our eternal destiny is sealed and God’s protection abides with us whatever the external circumstances may be.

 

CONCLUSION

May God’s people be willing to trust God and abide with Him whatever state we find ourselves. That is fullness of joy! Amen.

 

[1] Holman KJV Study Bible, 1100.

[2] Charles Bridges, Ecclesiastes, Banner of Truth Trust, 1992, 122.