The Headache of Wealth - Ecclesiastes 5-6

 Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 (ESV)

There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. As 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. This 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? Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

As always, we have to remember what the book of Ecclesiastes is about before we try to understand each topic it covers.   Solomon, very, very rich, Solomon, is exploring the meaning of life.  His conclusion at that end of the book is to fear God and worship God:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

In this section of chapter six, above, we are reading about something that Solomon two times states is “a grievous evil.”  The Hebrew word for “grievous” is often translated “sickness” or “disease.”  So the topic covered in these verses is speaking about something we don’t want to have in our lives.  Yet, most do.  The subject is about the accumulation of financial gain.  This section is about the plight of the rich.   Solomon knows this world.   He is telling us the following about what happens if we find ourselves accumulating wealth (or striving to do so):

1. If we accumulate wealth and hoard it, it will hurt us. 

2. If we accumulate wealth and invest it, it can be lost in a bad venture.

3. If we accumulate wealth, #2 can mean we lose our wealth and have nothing to give to our offspring.   

4. If we accumulate wealth, we can’t take it with us. 

5.  If we accumulate wealth, we can still be lonely, sick and angry.   

Our society is obsessed with wealth.   Solomon was so rich he once covered expensive ivory throne with pure gold:

1 Kings 10:18 (ESV)

The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold.

Therefore, Solomon knows what he is writing about.   The accumulation of wrath only adds more trouble to your life unless God gives you the ability to enjoy it:

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (ESV)

Everyone 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.

Only God can give us the ability to BOTH earn wealth and to enjoy wealth.   Without God’s wisdom and without following God’s commands, wealth will only torment us and cause grief in our lives.