Several months ago, our oldest son earned a toy by accomplishing a series of educational milestones. He had worked hard, and we were eager to celebrate him, so we drove to the store and purchased a LEGO set as his reward. All seemed well until we were pulling out of the parking lot and I heard his little voice from the back seat: “I wish this part of the set was different.” Not five minutes after we had purchased the toy, he was already disappointed.
I have watched my son experience the same disappointment again and again. The trinket he bought with his own money. The dessert he picked out. The Nerf gun he begged us to give him for Christmas. As soon as he gained possession of each promising new prize, his satisfaction evaporated into thin air.
My son and I have this conversation often. He complains when his latest present is disappointing. I explain that he cannot derive the fullness of his joy from material things. Around and around we go. It’s a struggle my son will experience for the rest of his life, and I know this because it’s a struggle I’ve had for all of mine.
On some level, we all know that money and possessions cannot satisfy us. And yet, if we are being honest, most of us seek after them anyway. Perhaps not as cravenly as the “wolves on Wall Street,” but who among us is not enticed, and then duped, by the promise and the security of having more?
In Ecclesiastes 5 and 6, the author explains the vanity of this search. He does so by describing multiple scenarios in which the accumulation of wealth amounts to nothing. One man spends his whole life growing his wealth, but is never fully satisfied by it (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Another accumulates wealth but then loses it all in a bad venture (v.13–14). Still another earns riches and honor, which are then taken by another (Ecclesiastes 6:1–2). Over and over he depicts the precarious fragility of money, and the spiritual futility of striving after it.
In these chapters the author is harsh, because he wants to communicate a counter-intuitive idea. Counter to our logic, the accumulation of wealth is not the answer to our problems. Instead, it has all the dependability of a house of cards. Wealth and possession look sturdy to the eye, but they snap like a toothpick under the weight of our souls. That is why so many wealthy people still feel insecure—because they are. Because wealth and material things are inherently fragile and empty, no matter how much we have.
When “all of your labor is for your own stomach,” the truth is you “will never be satisfied” (Ecclesiastes 6:7). It’s a lesson that many of us will choose to learn the hard way, or never learn at all, but we cannot escape its reality: no matter how much we earn or gain or accomplish, the pursuit of wealth is like standing atop a house of cards, when we were created for the Rock of Ages.
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58 thoughts on "The Tragedy of Wealth"
Dang. So true. I definitely struggle like her son all the time!
How silly, shopping is what automatically pops into my head. For clothes, gifts, material things. Each purchase is so gratifying for just an instant and fades until the next purchase. And this is something we live and experience over and over. I pray for the Holy Spirit to change this pattern in my life. To really, truly, finally see that only Christ is fulfilling.
These versus convict me & make me stop, reevaluate & give thanks for what I do have. It’s not that I desire fancy things, but that I find myself longing for certain things because ‘everyone else has it’ or ‘I’m not asking for much’. When in reality I do have everything I need because I believe that God provides & is faithful. I often compare my ‘things’ to other around me and feel less than, yet if I were to compare things like my marriage, my relationship with Christ, my joy & freedom as a daughter of the King, I would be the ‘wealthy’ one!
I struggle a lot with finding satisfaction in what I can buy. I will say to my self if only I can buy that clothing item then I will be happy with myself. When i eventually buy it. I have a big burst of excitement but it fades after having the item for more than 10 minutes. And usually what happens after buying it is I want more and more and more Because I’m don’t feel satisfied enough. This SRT hit the nail on the head.
I’m guilty of longing for that short term feeling you get when you buy something new. It feels good! But nothing, nothing compares to the joy and fulfillment Christ
gives. It’s supernatural and powerful. So grateful to know what that feels like. I’m in awe of Him ❤️
So good!
❤️
This was SO good!
Lord help us to understand and be transformed..
Thank you for sharing the other passages in 1 Timothy, Churchmouse. It shouldn’t amaze or surprise me, but it was just new to see how the scripture shows the 3 areas of wealth and what we are to do in those situations; poor, the want and the have.
I define “rich” differently. I am rich in love, heath and laughter. These are blessings! Lord, let our hunger be for you and not earthly things. Only you can fully satisfy us, and you are enough! ♡
This was a good devotional to remind us to be grateful and be content in whatever state we are in. It starts with thanking Him for the things we have. Writing a list or journaling every day what we are thankful for, helps. We don’t deserve anything or “entitled” to anything either! It’s only by the grace of God we are not consumed. Lamentations 3:22
I’m graduating college and I just received a job as a High school English teacher! Woo! I’m so excited and I didn’t even think about it, but when they told me my placement (the grades and classes I would have) I was disappointed. I trained for four years to be an English teacher and they want me to teach careers and English.
I was bummed.
However, I know there is beauty in helping students find purpose in their lives. I know I am called to be a light for Jesus in the schools. It’s never going to look like I want it to. Because how I want it to look will never exist. My work will never satisfy me. The perfect colleagues will never satisfy me.
Be thankful you have a job and do it unto the Lord, he’s the one watching you. It’s probably a blessing in disguise.
Man do I feel this. I’ve had to move my baby shower to a virtual event and I just “know” we’re not going to get everything we “need” for our baby girl. But God gives us what we truly need when our desires are in line with His. And even if my whole registry were to be purchased, I wouldn’t really be content unless I was content in Him. Now I’m off to watch rhe Veggie Tales episode “Madam Blueberry” to try to have a more thankful heart.
These readings reminded me to adjust my thought life!! So that I’m praising instead of running after other things.
Adjusting my thoughts, will remind me to be grateful for what I do have, not being envious of the life and things I see others have.
In all of the times I’ve read the parable of the rich young ruler in Mark 10, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed verse 21: “”Looking at him, Jesus loved him…”. He says this right before challenging the young ruler to sell all of his possessions and follow Him—something that, at first glance, may actually feel unloving to us. Sell all of our treasured possessions? Give up our self-built security? Sacrifice all of the comfort with which we’ve surrounded ourselves? That sounds cruel, not loving…right?
It was in that moment that I realized how often I equate material provision with love. And yes, scripture does make it clear that God expresses His love for us through His provision (Matthew 6:25-34). Only in this story, Jesus loves the rich young ruler by challenging him to rid himself of the very things that are obstacles to a relationship with the Messiah and Creator. Jesus knows how the love of money (and a false sense of control) lead to brokenness and disappointment, and the idea of self-sufficiency that keeps us from admitting our need and turning to Christ (Revelation 3:17).
I find myself so challenged to begin viewing my money and material possessions through this lens, especially the next time I feel like my prayers for provision aren’t being answered as I would like them to be. Perhaps God holds certain things back because He knows they would become a barrier between us; perhaps His “no” to certain requests is an act of love and grace in disguise.
I love this! I had totally skipped over the “and loved him” as well. What a key part of that entire interaction. As parents it’s easy for us to understand that we may withhold something from our children out of love, but how easily we forget that when we are the children and our Father says no to us.
I har misses that also and noticed it today :)
Brutal honesty here: when I’m feeling lonely, like a failure or less than, I spend. I like the feeling of receiving something, and I’m nearly always disappointed. It doesn’t satisfy, and I know only Jesus can, but this cycle developed during a nearly 2 decades long abusive marriage that God graciously ended. The habit is so ingrained, and I can’t seem to break free of it. It’s so embarrassing. I’m a gift giver, and I love to receive gifts, but my “people” are not, so I seldom get gifts and end up “gifting” myself — even if I just don’t have the money. I can’t help but believe that God provided the timing of this study for me for such a time as this. Please pray with me and for me that I can finally break the futility of spending (even if it’s almost always on Jesus books hahaha).
Praying for you. Thanks for sharing.
H H, I fully agree.
Amen, Churchmouse, Lizzie, Laurel, GrammieSue, NanaK, Kelly Lampman, Amen.
Nancy Singleton, I fully agree. My downfall is Amazon.
Taylor, I’ll be praying for you.
WOW, Angie you have a way with words. I love what you said.
Lindsay C., your questions made think.
Once again Sharon Hodde Miller spoke to me. I feel as if she is telling me that yeah you need money but only for the bare necessities and nothing else. I have a tendency to spend my money on others or on things I really don’t need. I should make that in the past tense now. With not having a roommate and no one to help out with any of my bills in the middle of June when I move I am having to learn to budget my money. I have never been good at budgeting. Sisters pray for me.
Also sisters continue to pray for my sister, Carol and nephew, Jake. They will be coming on Thursday to go through my niece’s things. My sister continues to have difficulty keeping focused on her work. Plus she and my nephew don’t see eye-to-eye on forgiving my niece’s fiance’ for the accident which has made for some tension in the household.
If you would like some enjoyable entertainment go to citmagazine.com/article/1684201/fairmont-posts-funny-videos-staff-empty-hotels there are several different ones some are funny and some are entertaining. Have a great day and God be with all of you. I always enjoy reading everyone’s comments.
Thank you for the video suggestions. What a fun, creative series.
Given the emphasis on the “tragedy of wealth” has followed us throughout Ecclesiastes, my ears are hearing the call of the Lord to give to those in need. Personally, I am one of the 1%, the middle class, and I have access to money to give to those in need. I love giving to others, for it is more blessed to give than receive. I have another kind of poverty, however, that has hindered taking steps of action. It’s poor health, low energy and brain fog, which makes it difficult to process through decision-making and doing the good I so long to do. I’m homebound due to the illness so being the one to directly connect with those is need is not in my ability. Yet, I am fixing the meditation of my mind and heart on the grace of God which is sufficient for me, for his power is made perfect in weakness. Would you pray with me for strength and clarity of mind as I aim to look at the financial picture and possible needs before me? It’s my hearts desire to give cheerfully and generously.
Are my eyes filled with light or darkness? What do they rest on? What am I placing before them? Where is my focus?
Love this Lindsay! These are some reflective and challenging questions I should be asking myself. Thanks for sharing!!
I will be content. I have what I need. God is good to me and my kids. I have seen blessings left to right reminding me HE is with me.
I look at it, as long as I have Christ in my life, I will be okay. I do know that material things are, but as long as I know who my saviour is, the giver of love, the giver of “stuff” is, I know deep down in my heart and soul that I will be okay.
Prayers appreciated as I talk with my sister today about faith and Christianity. She will share how her faith has evolved and I will share what I believe. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would speak through me and speak directly to what my sister needs to hear. Pray she and her husband will have the smokescreen lifted from their eyes and see Jesus in ALL of his truth and glory, that they may come to know him and pursue him wholeheartedly.
Praying! Remember: you can’t change a person, only the Holy Spirit can, so don’t take too much of that on yourself. Be the peace maker, the loving example, ready to give an answer for the reasons you have for your hope. It’s a hard one! Praying, sister in Christ!
Nanak…thank you for sharing. I LOVE your last line: be zealous, repent, and store up treasures in heaven.”
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
We are in a battle.
It is not an argument, it is a war.
A battle for our hearts and souls.
The weapons the enemy uses against us differ.
The enemy sees that we have been uniquely created in the image of the one he hates.
He sees that our strengths and weaknesses vary, and attacks us where we are vulnerable.
He knows the battle for our souls has already been won in Christ Jesus but, he choses to wreck havoc on the day, bringing as much misery and chaos as he is able.
Anything to draw our gaze from our victorious Christ.
For some affluence draws our eyes, for others poverty keeps us down, and still others it is being right in the middle – wanting what is better, fearful of what is worse, that deeps us distracted.
We cannot fight this battle on own.
So God gives us His armor.
Put on the helmet of salvation. Protect your mind from that which would draw us away from our victorious Christ.
Place over your heart and lungs the breastplate of righteousness of Christ. Protect your heart from loving anything that is not a part of the righteousness of Christ. Love fully that/those whom His righteousness guides you to love. Breathe in His fragrant love, breathe out His grace.
Upon our waist place the belt of Truth. Eternal Truth. Ultimate Truth. Truth founded in His Love. Our Core of strength.
With feet securely planted, side by side united, spiked down, standing firmly in peace.
Bearing His shield in one hand. The shield meant to deflect the arrows that the enemy sends. But also our shield that bears the “coat of arms” so to speak, the emblem, the banner that says, we are children of the King.
And finally, in our other hand we lift our swords. His Spirit and Word that slices away all evil. We must hone it. We must spend time sharpening it. We must use it so that our muscles have the strength to lift it swiftly and accurately when in battle.
But this battle is not against flesh and blood,
So we will offer His love to the rich, poor, or in between.
We will live love whether we are rich, poor, or in between.
We will not take prisoners, we welcome all who surrender to the Savior.
Adopted in, fellow heirs and children of the King.
This battle is against evil in the spiritual realm and together we will fight…in His armor…in His Love.
I love the title of our lesson today, “The tragedy of Wealth.” For some it’s looking for financial or material security instead of GOD, for others it’s about how we use the resources we’ve been given. “Wealth” can be measured in many ways, but the most important message is to look at our own hearts. Look at our desires…and keep the main thing the main thing…”be zealous, repent, and store up treasures in heaven.”
I completely agree with you Victoria, this has been a great series for me so far – it’s really opened my eyes up to how often I turned to material things ‘to feel better’ about myself, or used them as a coping mechanism when I was sad/stressed/lacking self esteem, etc. I’ve often heard from older family and relatives that ‘you’ll never have enough’ money, and our culture (and my generation especially, early 30s) is so used to living beyond our means. I put myself into a lot of unnecessary debt trying to ‘keep up’ with those around me. It wasn’t until recently when I surrendered my finances to Him and started tithing that I realized just how unhappy that vicious cycle was to me mentally and spiritually.
Feel the Lord leading me in this reading to examine my own heart. I live in a very wealthy area of Southern California. Compared to my neighbors with million dollar homes facing the beach, I may seem “poor”. God has richly blessed me with a roof over my head and an apartment that is more space than I need. Jesus help us to look inward at our own hearts rather than looking to our neighbors. Thank you Jesus for teaching the young rich ruler out of the abundance of your loving kindness. Teach us Lord. ♥️
The gathering of wealth in and of itself is where we go wrong. To accumulate wealth, to store it up in great piles…where is the joy in that?
God has blessed us. I admit it. We have more than most. But not as much as others. It is nice to not have to worry about what we will eat, or what we will wear.
But it has not always been that way. When we were in the midst of raising our four children, homeschooling them, feeding and clothing them with only one income, life was hard. I got creative making $50 stretch to feed six people for a week.
But God.
Oh yes, but God.
He used neighbors bringing leftovers that “her husband wouldn’t eat”, and many other ways to provide all that we needed. And now…I use what I learned. We give generously to young families who are struggling. And the joy we get in giving far outweighs any thing we gain from accumulating our wealth. Yes, we are blessed. Blessed by the smiles and tears of grateful families. Blessed by knowing God is working to provide for everyone. Blessed by our obedience.
I don’t say these things to brag or be prideful. Most of our giving is anonymously. We don’t need thanks or applause. This is a sharing of a heart that longs to count blessings in smiles rather than possessions.
Have a blessed day, sisters. And go bless someone today. ❤️
There have been so many times in my life when I have given money the position of being able to save me. The “if only I had enough money” I could save my child from the addiction, or fix things for everyone in my life. God dealt with me on this huge lie and I have repented and been freed from it. Because He is my Abundance and He is the resource and provider of all good things. The Rock over the house of cards and the only choice that leads to true joy is so clear. I have some debt that has increased this year but God, I would still be caught in the grasp of thinking money is the answer, when Jesus is the Truth. Praying for His provision for all those without work and suffering in this time. Hugs to you sisters.
Churchmouse–thank you for clearly stating the often overlooked truth. Each person should look to their hearts and follow the teaching of Christ–love your neighbors. Love comes in many forms–prayers, time, financial support. We are all to love on others with the means we have available.
I have definitely been struggling with finding my security in my financial standing/ability to work during this pandemic. I have not been able to work due to the pandemic, and the nature of my part-time job (field hockey umpire) if I don’t work I don’t get paid. I have really struggled since early March with not being able to make money. It has revealed that money is an idol in my life. I have food and clothing – I ought to be content. Thank you Lord for revealing this idol in my life and I pray you would tear it down completely.
Today God called me to 15 minutes of meditation, instead of 10. He placed two songs, a truth, and a charge on my mind. The two songs were “Here in Your Presence” by New Life Worship and “Lift My Life Up” by Unspoken. The truth was that God doesn’t speak in the strong wind, the earthquake, or the fire; rather He speaks to us in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). The charge was to donate money to a charity. God put it on my heart to donate $100 is a lot especially for me right now, but I am going to trust and take a step of obedience.
So true Sarah.. the reality for a lot of us is WE are the rich. Those of us who earn at least $32,400 a year are in the top 1% of income earners in the world. Those of us who make between 40,500 – 122k in our household are considered middle class in America, but there are people starving to death all over the world. Jesus, and Solomon, and all of these passages speak to us this way because are the rich. We are the ones striving for more material gain not realizing that by having enough to provide for our basic needs, we have more than most! We just don’t see it.
Wealth and possessions won’t satisfy when we were made for the one who is our satisfaction. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah (Psalm 68:19 ESV) Riches fade in the wind, God provides for us what is good. Store up treasures in heaven and be not axioms about clothes, food, or anything else. Godliness with contentment is great gain. So allow God to clothe you with white garments of purity in fellowship with Him. Repent of your running after your own gain and power, and fall at the feet of the loving God who daily bears us up.
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. (Psalm 68:17 ESV)
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! (Psalm 68:35 ESV)
Yes, Sarah, you are right. I can’t remember the exact words. But if you have a house and electricity, running water, clean water, and food, then we are rich. So many don’t have clean water to drink. It is something to stop and really think about. There are many ministries to help provide that necessity. We don’t have to give thousands to help others in need.
I agree, this is something I need to be reminded of daily. Wanting material things. I don’t need them, I’m blessed to have everything that I do have and it’s all a gift from God and this is something I need to be reminded of daily, get down on my knees and give thanks. Churchmouse, I agree with what you’re saying – I have a dear friend, who is very wealthy, has a great family who are all Christians beyond. No one knows the sacrifices and good that he does as he doesn’t put his name to many things he’s involved in. But he helps so many people behind the scenes that no-one knows about. He’s a family man first and God is at the forefront of everything he does. God bless him and his family. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Churchmouse, I’ve often thought the same. Thank you for sharing those scriptures.
Who are the ‘rich’ anyway? In our minds, it is always someone who has more than we do.
How many people look at us and think we are the rich ones?
Thank you for this devotional today. May we seek to put our treasure in heaven.
♥️
I too love your analogy at the end-house of cards vs Rock of Ages! The internet has made it so easy to go “window shopping” at any time, mindlessly wanting more, more, more. It’s a habit I struggle against, as it also helps provide many necessary items in this day of staying at home.
I am weary of snarky comments about the wealthy. I’m told often that the wealthy aren’t satisfied, aren’t happy, are all greedy as if those sentiments should somehow comfort those of lesser means. Such generalizations often spoken in arrogant, critical tones are not helpful but judgmental. None of us know their heart attitudes. It’s every bit as unkind to patronize the rich as it is to patronize the poor. Paul says it’s not about the money anyway. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 addresses those who are not rich. They are to be content. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 addresses those who want to get rich. They are to be careful. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 addresses those who are rich. They are to be generous. All three are not to place their trust in worldly resources. All three. So rather than be snarky about others, perhaps we should look at the log in our own eye first.
Yes. Thanks Churchmouse.
If we look at the global economy, the 1% of wealthy in the world have a car and either rent or own a home.
That puts things in perspective don’t it?
Wow thank you Churchmouse. I’m not even in the 1%. LOL
I have the same thoughts Churchmouse. Thank you for your words.
Beautifully put, Churchmouse! My husband and I have been on both sides of the snark! So poor at one time that I scraped together $1.38 to grocery shop for dinner to feed 7 people. Two days away from having a vehicle repossessed, Marriage almost fell apart. Today he is a successful businessman, a 1%er, has employed hundreds of people, and is a pillar in our family and church.
The point is that we didn’t change who we were as far as our standing in Christ. We’ve learned in life how to be content with little or much. Neither scares us anymore. It’s all good. It’s all God’s!
Sorry, part of the comment didn’t post. I basically commented that we’ve been on both sides of the snark! Rags to riches. But rich in Christ all along.
“… the pursuit of wealth is like standing atop a house of cards when we were created for the Rock of Ages.” Wow, what a great illustration.
I’m loving this series it is really speaking to me and helping me to see and understand the futility of striving for material things.