"What does God say about over-indulgers?" That is literally what was written on the paper, "and under-enjoyers?" Then they cite Ecclesiastes.
Christ’s simple answer in every age is the same truth we all need—to deny our selfishness and live abundantly for Him.
That answers it, but I think they’re asking how you interpret Ecclesiastes. So, let’s start with Ecclesiastes.
As I pondered Ecclesiastes, the 4th Wisdom book, I was deeply struck by a sermon one pastor presented on Ecclesiastes 5:10-15. Here were his points. See if they strike you like they struck me.
1. “Whoever loves money never has money enough” (v. 10). The more you have, the more you want.
2. “Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income” (v. 10). The more you have, the less you’re satisfied.
3. “As goods increase, so do those who consume them” (v.11). The more you have, the more people (including the government) will come after it.
4. “And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?” (v. 11). The more you have, the more you realize it does you no good.
5. “The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep” (v. 12). The more you have, the more you have to worry about.
6. “I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner” (v. 13). The more you have, the more you can hurt yourself by holding on to it.
7. “Or wealth lost through some misfortune” (v.14). The more you have, the more you have to lose.
8. “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” (v.15). The more you have, the more you’ll leave behind.
o He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures. To him, death is loss. He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; he’s moving daily toward his treasures. To him, death is gain. He who spends his life moving away from his treasures has reason to despair. He who spends his life moving toward his treasures has reason to rejoice.
o Is the passing of time causing you and me to despair or rejoice? God’s kingdom was the reference point for these men. They saw all else in light of the kingdom. They were compelled to live as they did not because they treasured no things, but because they treasured the right things.
o We often miss something in missionary martyr Jim Elliot’s famous words, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." We focus on his willingness to go to the mission field. That willingness started when he relinquished his hold on things as MINE!
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