ECCLESIASTES 5
Do not speak rashly (1–7). Your mouth can cause you to sin, especially when you pray hypocritically or make rash promises to God.
Do not marvel at wrongs (8–9). This does not mean that you should approve them, but do not be surprised when they happen. The poor Jews in Solomon’s day had to put up with selfish bureaucrats who had to be paid off before they would help.
Do not covet wealth (10–20). The poor think all their problems will be solved with more money, and the rich have problems because of their money! Money does not satisfy (v. Ec 5: 10) or guarantee peace (v. 12).
Materialism (mamon) is a religion
1.More money will bring me satisfaction (Ill be happy)
2.More money will bring me security (Ill be safe)
3.More money will bring m significance (my life will matter)
- Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is your heart will be also”
- Give and it shall be given unto you…Luke 6:38
You don’t become more generous and then give
You give and become more generous.
You don’t develop more faith and give.
You give and it grows your faith.
You don’t grow closer to God and then give.
You give and then feel closer to God.
Because where your treasure is, your heart will be also”
Faith is…
- Taking an action
- Based on an assumed truth
- Of something God has said.
Randy Alcorn Treasure Principles
#1 God owns everything; I’m His money manager. We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted–not given–to us.
#2 My heart always goes where I put God’s money. Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.
#3 Heaven—the New Earth, not the present one—is my home. We are citizens of “a better country–a heavenly one”. (Heb. 11:16) – we should use money for Gods purposes.
#4 I should live today not for the dot, but for the line. (From the dot–our present life on earth–extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.).
#5 Giving is the only antidote to materialism. Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.
#6 God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously. Giving generously breaks down the power of God.
“Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can” John Wesley…but most people just sit on the can”
- To focus on the gifts and not the giver is idolatry
- To accept Gods gifts and complain is ingratitude
- To hoard Gods gifts and not share with others is
Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 on money and happiness paraphrases by Randy Alcorn
“Whoever loves money never has money enough.” …The more you have, the more you want.
“Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” …The more you have, the less you’re satisfied.
“As goods increase, so do those who consume them.” …The more you have, the more people (including the government) come after it.
“And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?” …The more you have, the more you realize it doesn’t meet your real needs.
“The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.”… The more you have, the more you have to worry about.
“I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner.” …The more you have, the more you can hurt yourself by holding onto it.
“…or wealth lost through some misfortune.” …The more you have, the more you have to lose.
“Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.” …The more you have, the more you have to leave behind
Tell me what you think about money, and I will tell you what you think about God, for these two are closely related. A man’s heart is closer to his wallet than anything else. Billy Graham
Part of our problem is that we confuse needs with wants, yesterday’s luxuries become today’s needs.
Get your heart right about money and it will straighten out almost everything else.
