JOYLESS PROSPERITY

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-7

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Money can’t buy you happiness.

It’s a saying that’s been around for a while now. I’m not sure where it started but that’s not really as important as the premise. Many people look for happiness in all the wrong places and money is one of them.

Now, just in case you might think this is just some quip construed by mankind, think again because it actually has biblical foundations. In fact, the person who first uttered the quote may have even been a believer. I don’t know. All I know is that God’s word provides similar guidance and that’s all that matters to me. Look at these opening words from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 6:

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.  Ecclesiastes 6:1-7

If I were to sum up these words, I would say that prosperity is joyless, not in every case, but in some.

The word of the Lord for today affirms this:

God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead.

Some people have an abundance, more than they could ever hope for, and yet do not have the time to enjoy the things they do have. Note here that God is at the center of this discussion, the One who gives the wealth and the One who removes the pleasure of enjoying His blessings.

How bad off is the person who ends up experiencing joyless prosperity?

Solomon says that a stillborn child is better off.

Wow. A child who was born into the world without life would be better off than a person who did not get to enjoy the fruits of life God provided. Joyless prosperity, like the child, departs in darkness, never having the satisfaction of pleasing the one who possessed it during its existence. That’s a sad and telling statement from the scriptures and one that should resonate with us.

And no matter how much toiling a person might do to try and find joy through gain, they will never find what they are looking for because the person who makes achieving prosperity their sole longing will never be satisfied for their efforts are centered on themselves, on their riches and the status it brings.

The warning here is one that echoes through the verses of Ecclesiastes and elsewhere in the Bible. For when the object of our desire is our prosperity and not God, the One who provides it, we’ll never find true joy.

Cast your focus on the Lord who provides every good and perfect thing for you. Revel in His blessings and use them for His glory. Praise Him for His goodness and share the good news of Him with all you see.

In the end translation, Christ-centered, spiritual prosperity is never joyless prosperity because it is not of the world but rather of the Lord who gives us victory over the world. He is the One who brings us true joy in life, the One who bestows the treasures of heaven on anyone who places their faith, hope, and trust in Him.

Come to Him today and every day. You will find yourself richer than you have ever imagined.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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