1. Finding Joy in Money Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9

2. A Chiastic Outline 1. Wealth never satisfies. 2. It’s hard to enjoy wealth. 3. God gives us life, work, and wealth. 4. Enjoying wealth is a gift from God 3b. God can take away the enjoyment of wealth 2b. What a pity if you don’t enjoy wealth 1b. Appetites are never satisfied.

3. A Chiastic Outline Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9 1. Wealth never satisfies. (5:8-12) 2. It’s hard to enjoy wealth. (5:13-17) 3. God gives us life, work, and wealth. (5:18) 4. Enjoying wealth is a gift from God (5:19-20) 3b. God can take away the enjoyment of wealth (6:1-2) 2b. What a pity if you don’t enjoy wealth (6:3-6) 1b. Appetites are never satisfied. (6:7-9)

4. Money is neither good nor evil. Money is neither good nor evil. The problem is that we worship money. The problem is that we worship money. 95Q.What is idolatry? A.Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in his Word.

5. Money is neither good nor evil. Money is neither good nor evil. The problem is that we worship money. The problem is that we worship money. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

6. The Limitations of Money Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 “If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.”

7. The Limitations of Money Money alone never satisfies. Money alone never satisfies. Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”

8. The Limitations of Money Money alone never satisfies. Money alone never satisfies. It can’t buy real friends. It can’t buy real friends. Ecclesiastes 5:11 “As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?”

9. The Limitations of Money Money alone never satisfies. Money alone never satisfies. It can’t buy real friends. It can’t buy real friends. More money produces less peace. More money produces less peace.

10. Ecclesiastes 5:12 “The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.”

11. Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 “I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.”

12. The Limitations of Money Financial security is a myth. Financial security is a myth. You can’t take it with you. You can’t take it with you. Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 “Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. 16 This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?”

13. The Limitations of Money Financial security is a myth. Financial security is a myth. You can’t take it with you You can’t take it with you If you make money your god, it will make you its fool. If you make money your god, it will make you its fool. Ecclesiastes 5:17 “All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.”

14. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him — for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”

15. The Blessings of Money Enjoy wealth as a gift from God. Enjoy wealth as a gift from God. God distributes money. God distributes money.

16. Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 “I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.”

17. Ecclesiastes 6:3-6 “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. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man— 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?”

18. The Blessings of Money Enjoy wealth as a gift from God. Enjoy wealth as a gift from God. God distributes money. God distributes money. Find satisfaction in what you have. Find satisfaction in what you have.

19. Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 “All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. 8 What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

20. Matthew 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

21. The Blessings of Money Enjoy wealth as a gift from God. Enjoy wealth as a gift from God. God distributes money. God distributes money. Find satisfaction in what you have. Find satisfaction in what you have. How do you find joy in your money? How do you find joy in your money?

22. Challenge: For best results, use as directed.

23. 1 Peter 1:18-21 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.