“The one who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor the one who loves abundance with his entry. This too is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10
Money and wealth are a necessary part of human existence; they are the agent of change in all economies. In ancient times, it was cattle or land. Today, it can be cash, stocks, or real estate investments. Essentially, money and wealth are identified not so much by what they are, but by what they represent.
Many people simply think of money as the greenbacks you get from the bank when you make a deposit. But it is much more. Money and wealth can represent many things, and when you reduce money to its most basic form, it is value.
Thus understood, we realize money is not numbers on a bank statement, or a wad of cash hidden in a drawer, or a sheet of paper with the words “Grant Deed” on it. Money and wealth are all values that those things represent.
The value of money gives power to a central and primary condition: security. With money we feel safe, protected from hunger, cold, heat and lack of control. All the other benefits of money seem to flow from that one state of security. And security must bring satisfaction. Should…
It’s no secret that the world is reeling from your dissatisfaction. Billions and trillions of every currency are made, exchanged, and remade daily. Untold millions have far more than they need. Much more. And often the richest people are the most unhappy.
Why does it seem like no one is happy?
One of the chilling vanities we encounter in this life is this: nothing we pin our hopes on for happiness or contentment will bring the condition we hope for. If we love security, we will feel insecure. If we love power, we will feel powerless. If we love influence, we will feel insignificant.
The obsession with earning money and wealth is a perfect illustration of this truth. The important theme here is the word LOVE. It is what we love that affects our satisfaction! Yes, money can bring happiness. Yes, influence can bring satisfaction. Yes, achievement can bring satisfaction. But how? How not?
Not when we LOVE THOSE THINGS. You see, putting our deepest affection into anything, any condition, any situation will ultimately let us down. And this is clearly why Solomon implored us not to foolishly seek those things above all else. Instead, he told us to love God above all else, and then everything comes to pass as it was designed to come to pass.
The problem has never been money and wealth or anything else we can earn. The problem has always been this:
Anything we love more than God will ultimately bring dissatisfaction.
It’s really not that complicated. I mean, think about it. How to be miserable? Easy. Love things: money, power, influence, pride, achievements, etc. more than God.
How to be happy? She loves God more than anything. And how to do that? Putting his laws and desires above our own natural desires. The absolute and certain result is peace, security, happiness, fulfillment and contentment.
And one more question… what is it like to really love God more than anything? Well, that’s another post for another day, but for now, we can start by reading His Word. Because in the Bible, he tells us exactly what he wants for our life, and
It is Tremendously Satisfying!