Wisdom From EcclesiastesSample

How much is enough?

It’s fairly easy for me to criticize other people for being materialistic. I can see conspicuous consumption in others; I am not quite so sharp in seeing it in myself. Even though I don’t have a Porsche, golf club membership, or second home, I am just as at risk in being seduced by the addictive allure of MoneyMoneyMoney as any wealthy person.

Money is an amazing tool. It concentrates power and makes it portable. It allows you to accumulate things that you want and get other people to do what you want. To some degree those are good things. But it is a small step from working hard to accumulate wealth to falling in love with the power it brings you.

How do you know when you have enough? “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). You know you’re in trouble when money is at the core of what makes you feel safe and secure, when money is at the core of whether or not you feel that your life is a success, when money is at the core of your personal happiness. God made us to be connected in love to other people. Even more, God made us to find our greatest fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness in loving and serving him first.

Do you believe that?