The Beatles sang, “I don’t care too much for money, ‘cause money can’t buy me love.’” In another song, they made the point, “Money don’t get everything it’s true. What it don’t get I can’t use. So gimme money (that’s what I want). A little money (that’s what I want). That’s what I want, ye-ye-yeah, that’s what I want.” Many believers move through the same emotions. We know we shouldn’t care too much for money and yet, “A little money—that’s what I want.”
The book of Ecclesiastes has much to say about money. Let’s consider a theology of money from the reflections of the wealthiest man who ever lived.
Dealing with Wealth
Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:3
Money Anxiety is the emotional response to my financial situation. It can be caused by a variety of things, including job loss, illness, inflation, gas prices, energy bills, and grocery costs. According to a 2022 study by the American Psychological Association, 87% of Americans attribute a significant source of stress to “rising prices in everyday items due to inflation.”
Solomon addressed the issue of money anxiety in Ecclesiastes 5:10. Note that when Solomon wrote this, Israel was experiencing an economic boom. Throughout the kingdom, silver was as common as stone (1 Kings 10:27; see also 1 Kings 10:1-13). Yet, in the midst of a wealthy society, Solomon says:
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
The danger of loving money is repeated often in the New Testament. 1 Timothy 6:10 gives a specific instance:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Note that in both passages, the issue is not money (there are many wealthy, godly people in the Bible); the issue is the “love of money.”
Five Reasons Why the Love of Money Never Satisfies
1. The more money you have, the more money you need (Eccl 5:11).
2. The love of money causes physical angst (Eccl 5:12).
3. The love of money leads to selfishness and cynicism (Eccl 5:13, 17).
4. The love of money leads to bad investments (Eccl 5:14).
Predatory get-rich-quick schemes have become so audacious, and so prevalent that the federal government has launched a full-scale operation targeting them: Operation Income Illusion.
https://www.moneyunder30.com/get-rich-quick-schemes
5. Some who love money are never able to enjoy their money (Eccl 6:1-3)
Two Conclusions
Conclusion #1: You are going to die, and you can’t take anything with you (Eccl 5:15)
Conclusion #2: Enjoy the gifts God gives you (Eccl 5:18-20)
God is the Giver of All Things
• God gives us life (Eccl 5:18)
• God gives us wealth and possessions (Eccl 5:19
• God gives us the ability to enjoy his gifts (Eccl 5:19)
Luke 12:15
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Article on Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia Founder) https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/climate/patagonia-climate-philanthropy-chouinard.html
Article on David Green (Hobby Lobby Founder)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/decision-to-give-away-ownership-hobby-lobby-chose-god
Moneylender and His Wife (Matsys 1517)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Money_Changer_and_His_Wife#/media/File:Massysm_Quentin_—_The_Moneylender_and_his_Wife_—_1514.jpg
Moneychanger and His Wife (Reymerswaele 1539)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinus_van_Reymerswaele#/media/File:Marinus_Claesz._van_Reymerswaele_001.jpg
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE
Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit biblechapel.org/devo.
LIVING GROUNDED
Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected.
CAREGIVING
Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at caregiving@biblechapel.org.
CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS
You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side.
FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP
Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
view more