I grew up in a beautiful area along the Pacific Coast of Southern California. I lived in an area of immense wealth, even though our family was not wealthy. We rented, while my friend's families owned their homes.
If I wanted what my friends had, I worked for it. I valued what I had even though it was much less than what my friends enjoyed.
I've lived overseas in SE Asia and seen the great disparity between the "haves and have-nots." It's a big gap. And yet, I've seen greater contentment and happiness among the poor than among the wealthy.
This isn't to say the poor don't long for a life of ease and wealth. They do. And yet, their lives are often filled with more peace and contentment than those they envy. It's ironic.
Scripture
Whoever loves money will never have enough money; Whoever loves wealth will not be satisfied with it. This is also useless. The more wealth people have, the more friends they have to help spend it. So what do people really gain? They gain nothing except to look at their riches. [vss 10-11]
Those who work hard sleep in peace; it is not important if they eat little or much. But rich people worry about their wealth and cannot sleep. I have seen real misery here on earth: Money saved is a curse to its owners. They lose it all in a bad deal and have nothing to give to their children. [vss 12-14]
People come into this world with nothing, and when they die they leave with nothing. In spite of all their hard work, they leave just as they came. This, too, is real misery: They leave just as they came. So what do they gain from chasing the wind? All they get are days full of sadness and sorrow, and they end up sick, defeated, and angry. [vss 15-17]
I have seen what is best for people here on earth. They should eat and drink and enjoy their work, because the life God has given them on earth is short. God gives some people the ability to enjoy the wealth and property he gives them, as well as the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work. They do not worry about how short life is, because God keeps them busy with what they love to do. [vss 18-20]
(Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 NCV) [Context– Ecclesiastes 5]
Key phrase—Those who work hard sleep in peace...But rich people worry about their wealth and cannot sleep.
[bctt tweet="Those who work hard sleep in peace...But rich people worry about their wealth and cannot sleep."]
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scripture text above as you answer the following questions—
What are two or three specific things said about those who have and love wealth?
Who seems to enjoy rest and sleep more—those with much or those with little? Why?
What is the status of all people at birth and death? What is the pursuit of wealth likened to?
What seems to be the key to enjoying life regardless of their status in this life?
Reflection...
Americans enjoy a high standard of life, especially compared to much of the world. Even our poor, especially those on government assistance, enjoy a higher standard of living compared to most of the world's population.
And yet, with all we possess and have access to, some very simple things seem elusive. Americans spend millions, maybe billions, on supplements and drugs to help them sleep, calm their nerves, and lift their spirit.
Sleeplessness, anxiety and depression are plague-like conditions for millions. Why? As a nation, we seem unable to attain satisfaction or contentment. Perhaps we need to stop chasing after what we don't have, and enjoy what we do have, along with enjoying what we do in daily life.
As mentioned in Ecclesiastes, like a dog who chases its tail, we need to stop "chasing the wind."
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions—
What in particular causes you to lose sleep? Do you realize what causes you anxiety or worry?
When was the last time you had a good night sleep? Do you experience more inner peace or stress?
Have you ever gotten something you longed for only to be disappointed with it?
How do you escape or deal with the cares and desires of your life? Is it in a healthy or unhealthy way?