Ecclesiastes
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:12 (Read Ecclesiastes 5:9-20)
Two thousand years ago a child was born with nothing that He could call His own. Thirty-two years later, He died with nothing. In the wilderness, He could have taken possession of the kingdoms of this world. He refused. In Galilee, they wanted to make Him king. He refused. With all His power, He could have gained great riches. He refused. The world says, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." According to the “most toys” philosophy, He was a failure and a fool.
If the prosperity gospel is the way of life, then surely the Son of the Creator would have shown us. Instead, He gave up the infinite riches of heaven and became a poor child on earth. Why? Because there is something more important than earthly wealth. After all, “when good things increase, those who consume them increase. The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.” (5:11-12 NASB) Riches neither satisfy nor bring peace of mind. The working man, who is satisfied with enough, has peace of mind. He sleeps peacefully and wakes up joyful. The rich man lies awake, worrying about the riches he has, and rises in sadness over what he doesn't have.
At Jesus' birth, the angels sang, "Peace on earth." (Luke 2:14) Shortly before His death, Christ said, “Peace I leave with you.” In His resurrection appearances, He said, “Peace be with you.” (John 14:27) From Bethlehem to Calvary, He went without, so that we go with peace. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
If you treasure material riches, you are to be pitied. Rather, make it your goal to gather the spiritual riches that accompany peace with God and to dispense these treasures to others. Then, your life will have value.
Lord Christ, turn our thoughts away from the riches of this world. Help us to spend our life seeking an abundance of peace from God. Hear us for Your name’s sake. Amen.