Reading
“The money lover isn’t satisfied with money; neither is the lover of wealth satisfied with income. This too is pointless.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (CEB)
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (CEB)
Reflection
One of the best parts of Halloween for kids happens right when you get home from trick-or-treating. The part when you get to dump out your candy to see all your riches! Do you remember doing that as a kid? Maybe you were the kind of kid who sorted them by type: chocolatey, fruity, gummy, crunchy, etc. As you sorted your candy, you may have noticed that your sibling got more of your favorite candy, and you may have even tried to barter a trade. “I’ll give you two of my Starbursts for one of your Reese’s cups.”
From a young age, we find ourselves always wanting more. And yet, more doesn’t make us happier. In fact, if you were a child who ate all your Reese’s cups in one sitting and all of your siblings’ too, you might end up with a stomach ache. What might be the equivalent for our wealth?
On Sunday, Pastor Mark encouraged us to read and reflect on Ecclesiastes 5:10. Below, you will find that verse in a few different translations. Take some time to read through these different translations. Notice the words that stand out to you.
“The money lover isn’t satisfied with money; neither is the lover of wealth satisfied with income. This too is pointless.” (CEB)
“Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.” (NIV)
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.” (NIV)
“The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity.” (NRSV)
“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.” (NKJV)
“A lover of money never has his fill of money, nor a lover of wealth has his fill of income. That too is futile.” (5:9, Jewish Study Bible)
Take a few moments to ponder this question: Where do I find myself wanting more, even when I already have enough?
While our days of trick-or-treating may be over, our struggle with wanting more persists. There will always be something else we want, something newer, or something we think will make us happier. But Ecclesiastes reminds us to let go of vanity and futile longings. That helps us to appreciate the things we have, knowing they are enough.
Prayer
God of all good gifts, you surround me with blessings that I can’t count or repay. Help me grow in financial generosity in my life to be a mirror of your generosity toward me. Amen.
