May 17 Daily Devotional

Scripture for Day 17—Ecclesiastes 5:8–20

⁸If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. ⁹But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.

¹⁰He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. ¹¹When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? ¹²Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

13There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, ¹⁴and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. ¹⁵As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. ¹⁶This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? ¹⁷Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

¹⁸Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. ¹⁹Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. ²⁰For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Devotional:

It is not only the mafia godfather who exerts pressure downwards to get the most out of his subjects. Everyone watches out for his own share of the pie when and where he can. 5:8 may sound a bit cynical, but then again, we have heard Qoheleth's way of speaking before. Cynical or not, we should have little or no trouble in affirming that his words are generally true of all (or at least most) human business under the sun.

The rich and the powerful, however, do not have it made, contrary to popular sentiment. 5:9 tells us why: "The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income." Ironically, this thought expresses the very idea on which western consumerism banks, namely, an insatiable appetite for more. Riches, wealth, and possessions is what everybody craves, and this is the chief cornerstone of Wall Street, but more of the same will not put an end to craving, since satisfaction remains elusive. We desire peace and satisfaction, but only God can fill the gaping hole in our souls.

The love of money is a God-replacement, and, says Qoheleth, it brings its own problems. In the Serengeti of consumerism, increased productivity and wealth draw more interested parties, and sometimes gains can only be looked at (5:11) before hungry competitors take their share. There is certainly no rest for the lover of money.

Pursuing profit is not a bad thing in itself. Yet, it will remain a hopeless venture so long as there is no joy. The conclusion of the text (5:18-20) describes the only consistently positive theme of Ecclesiastes. These words are a reprise of 2:24-26, and they teach us that all blessings in life come from God and must be received as such: gifts from the Almighty.

Qoheleth is far from portraying God like a giant vending machine or a supermarket that only exists for our gratification. It may seem somewhat disturbing that 5:19 claims that joy, happiness, and contentment are not merely choices we make, as in, "Don't worry, be happy!" In fact, according to our text, these are choices that God has made—for us. Let us get this right: God causes people to differ from each other, and he renders the decision as to who gets what and who is "enabled" to enjoy good things in life. He may choose to grant someone riches and wealth, but without the ability of enjoying it properly, such a person becomes a perplexing reminder of the fact that life does not consist in the things we possess.

What does your life "consist" of? The answer will identify your treasure and your joy. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:34).

The author of these devotionals, the Rev. Martin Emmrich, is an ordained OPC minister (Westminster OPC, Corvallis, Oregon) as well as the author of Pneumatological Concepts in the Epistle to the Hebrews, a book on the teaching of Hebrews on the Holy Spirit. We are happy to make these devotionals on Ecclesiastes and other passages of Scripture available to you.