Everyone has a vision for happiness that requires money. When people have competing visions, and money is limited, we see and feel the tension in marriages, businesses, politics, etc. As the 2020 election looms, each side will vilify the other without being proud of their candidate. Billions will be spent because money, and a vision of happiness is at stake. One of Solomon’s wayward paths was a greedy accumulation of money, which he found to be a dead-end. Many of us are striving down the same path. God recorded Solomon’s futility not solely that we would not imitate his mistake, but instead, we would learn his lesson: Godliness with contentment is great gain!
One day we’ll enjoy a kingdom ruled by Jesus, but for now, God entrusts power to the government to commend good, punish evil, and protect the weak. When looking at the world as a whole, this is so rare! Good officials have long been joined by a hierarchy of ungodly officials who dig into the cookie jar, looking for personal satisfaction or gain. Sometimes raising taxes doesn’t raise the quality of life for anyone except the officials getting stuffed on cookies. When we put our faith in Jesus, He gives hope and shapes our lives to show others a measure of His goodness. When it’s time, go vote, but more than a blue or red wave, we need a king we can trust, a king who is benevolent, just, and dignified, a king who doesn’t ramp up for re-election, a king who doesn’t ride on the backs of his people but carries people on His back.
God made our hearts to be dissatisfied when money is our god. God isn’t against money. God is against our love of money because He resists that which threatens what He loves: His children! People imagine an amount of money as an oasis only to find it to be a mirage. Once you get money, you get people who want your money to fund their own mirage. This can keep you up at night. Unlike the weary body and clean conscience of the laborer, the rich may struggle with sleep even with a full stomach because they’re thinking about their company, competitors, and conscience.
“Five minutes after we die, we’ll know how we should have lived. God has given us His Word so we don’t have to wait to find out.” – Brian Frost
Solomon gives two hazards to hoarding things: identity and security. Hoarders gather till what they gather overtakes their life. Some are so fearful of loss that they come home, eat in the dark so nobody knocks, while clutching their stuff with a frown on their face till they die and leave it behind. Know that nobody loves you or sees what is coming as Jesus does. Jesus is for us. He tells us to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately so we can keep giving.
Sometimes God needs to crush our vision to give us His. It’s amazing how God gives the can of peaches and the can opener. He gives wealth and the ability to enjoy it. We need both; only God can give both! When Jesus died for our sin and rose again, He invited us to trust Him and enjoy a relationship with Him. We are to eat, drink, and work with Him! We are to enjoy wealth, possessions, and power with Him! We are to move past disappointments as God keeps us occupied with joy in our hearts.
“Having a heart so full of God that it’s free from greed is priceless!” – Brian Frost
SERMON NOTES
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Government corruption due to greed. (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9)
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Isaiah 9:7 — Behind every bumper sticker, yard sign, or post that lionizes or vilifies is a hidden longing for Jesus!
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Mark 10:43 — When we put our faith in Jesus, He gives hope and shapes our lives to show others a measure of His goodness.
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Personal Dissatisfaction due to greed. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12)
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1 Timothy 6:9-10 — People imagine an amount of money as an oasis only to find it to be a mirage.
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Luke 12:15 — If God says we are at risk, we are at risk.
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Destructive hoarding due to greed. (Ecclesiastes 5:13-17)
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Matthew 6:19 — Nobody loves you or sees what is coming like Jesus.
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Proverbs 11:25 — Jesus is for us. He tells us to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately so we can keep giving.
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Pleasant contentment due to God’s grace. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)
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1 Timothy 6:6 — Enjoy His goodness in highs and lows.\
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INTROSPECTIVE QUESTIONS
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Are you looking to Jesus’ coming Kingdom for hope?
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Have you trusted Jesus?
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Are you guarding your heart? If so, how?
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In what ways can you practice being a giver?
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If you have trusted Jesus as Savior, are you continuing to trust Him daily?
CLOSING THOUGHTS
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
As we roll into this election season that can feel hostile and self-seeking on all bases, let’s remember that having a heart so full of God that it’s free from greed is priceless. In the highs and the lows of this season and of life, let’s choose to enjoy His goodness, daily.
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