ODJ: having it all
July 11, 2011
How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! (v.10).
READ: Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
New York City is known as “the city that never sleeps,” and for a time Scott Harrison was partly to blame. As one of the top nightclub promoters on the planet, his nocturnal dealings brought him notoriety, success, and wealth. In addition to his business proceeds, companies paid him thousands of dollars to endorse their stuff. But, during a luxury vacation in Uruguay, something changed. He rediscovered his faith and, suddenly, “having it all” wasn’t enough.
Scott traveled to Liberia where he witnessed the problems caused by contaminated water. The result was charity: water, an organization he founded that has helped over 1 million Africans.
Many people come to realize that wealth, for its own benefit, is meaningless. King Solomon knew this, despite his astounding riches. With an annual income of more than 25 tons of gold, he owned a fleet of trading ships that circulated through the seas, bringing back exotic treasures including ivory, apes, and peacocks (2 Chronicles 9:13-21). During Solomon’s reign, “silver [was] as plentiful in Jerusalem as stone” (v.27).
The king’s megabucks didn’t prevent him from proclaiming a long rant on life in general—with specific comments about wealth. He said, “How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). What good is wealth, except to watch it slip through your fingers? Apparently, even the wealthiest people in the world see that amassing money doesn’t guarantee fulfillment.
We don’t have to own lots of money to seek satisfaction in it. We fall into the trap of loving money by obsessing over it. Solomon said “those who love money will never have enough” (v.10). Exchanging a love of money for a love of people yields a far higher return. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Why is it so difficult to deal with the enticement of wealth? How can you tell the difference between responsible stewardship and acquiring wealth for its own sake?
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