Rich and Miserable

Continuing our study of Ecclesiastes…

Eccl. 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

This verse is basically making the observation that man is never satisfied with the amount of money he has or the possessions he owns. Contrary to popular opinion—you can’t buy satisfaction; you can’t find fulfillment in riches. It’s an empty, unsatisfying pursuit that will lead you astray from achieving true satisfaction and fulfillment. I am reminded of the words of Paul in his letter to Timothy.

1Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Eccl. 5:11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

This verse is an observation on the fact that the wealthier you are, the more “friends” and family will show up to help you spend it. I liked the phrasing of the CJB: “When the quantity of goods increases, so does the number of parasites consuming them; so the only advantage to the owner is that he gets to watch them do it.”

It is sad but true that it is difficult for a wealthy man/woman to know who are their true friends. That truth becomes painfully clear, however, when adversity comes and you see who sticks around to help you and encourage you through the tough times.

Adam Clarke had a different perspective. He made the application that more holdings require more workers and more people to provide for as well as more responsibility and stress associated with supervising your growing assets. His conclusion--Is it really worth it?

Eccl. 5:12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Anyone who has put in a hard day’s work knows the truth of the first part of this verse. The body is really ready for the time of rest, sometimes to the point of falling asleep before getting to eat.

In several of the translations the last part of the verse reads in reference to the full stomach of the rich person in contrast to that of the laborer. In other words, that he has so overstuffed himself that he can’t sleep. This view seems to have the support of the Hebrew as I see it.

Some indicate that the many cares that are associated with the stress and responsibility of supervising his holdings are keeping him from sleep. I believe this is also a true statement.