Wealthy But Deprived

Continuing with our study of Ecclesiastes…

Eccl. 6:1-2 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

Now Solomon makes note of another distressing observation about life. God chooses to give some men riches, wealth and honor so that they want for nothing. Yet, sometimes He allows trouble in that person’s life that prevents him from enjoying all that he has. Instead, someone else benefits from his adversity. The word “stranger” is just a reference to another individual. It just doesn’t seem fair.

The more interesting observation is that he considers this to be a common occurrence. This could be referencing a person that has fallen victim to others with more power or authority, or maybe someone who has bad health that prevents him from enjoying what he possesses.

A troubling article in the news recently comes to my mind regarding the current economic changes happening in our country. I’m not sure this family falls under the category of “wanting for nothing,” but it certainly falls under the category of not being allowed to enjoy what is rightfully theirs through unfair government interference. Following is an excerpt of this man’s letter to the editor in his local newspaper.

“On Thursday, May 14, 2009 I was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we purchased, will be taken away from my family on June 9, 2009 without compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to them. My new vehicle inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3 million dollars. This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no factory incentives beyond June 9, 2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new Dodge as "new," nor will we be able to do any warranty service work. Additionally, my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000.) is virtually worthless without the ability to perform warranty service. There is no offer from Chrysler to buy back the vehicles or parts inventory.
Our facility was recently totally renovated at Chrysler's insistence, incurring a multi-million dollar debt in the form of a mortgage at Sun Trust Bank.

HOW IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN THIS HAPPEN?

THIS IS A PRIVATE BUSINESS NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY

This is beyond imagination! My business is being stolen from me through NO FAULT OF OUR OWN. We did NOTHING wrong.
This atrocity will most likely force my family into bankruptcy. This will also cause our 50+ employees to be unemployed. How will they provide for their families? This is a total economic disaster.” [end excerpt]

My heart goes out to that family. I don’t know whether or not they are Christians. If they are not, I believe that God is working to get them to turn to Him in faith. If they are, they can rest in the truth that God is going to work good out of what seems like a real personal tragedy. Still, from a purely earthly perspective, it certainly appears to be an evil under the sun.

One commentary equates this man to a miser that doesn’t know how to enjoy his blessings.