UBF Daily Bread

INJUSTICE AND WEALTH

Passage: Ecclesiastes 5:8~20

Key verse: 19

Riches Are Meaningless

⁸If you see the poor oppressed^(A) 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. ⁹The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

¹⁰Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.

¹¹As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?

¹²The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.^(B)

¹³I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:^(C)

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
¹⁴    or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
    there is nothing left for them to inherit.
¹⁵Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.^(D)
They take nothing from their toil^(E)
    that they can carry in their hands.^(F)

¹⁶This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,
    and what do they gain,
    since they toil for the wind?^(G)
¹⁷All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

¹⁸This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink^(H) and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor^(I) under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions,^(J) and the ability to enjoy them,^(K) to accept their lot^(L) and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.^(M) ²⁰They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.^(N)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Governmental oppression (8-9)

The Teacher warns us not to be surprised when we see the governmental officials oppressing the poor, denying them justice, and trampling on their rights. God establishes all authority, and we should respect and obey those who govern over us, even when those officials seem to be unjust.

2. Wealth and happiness are from God (10-20)

What is in our hearts is what we crave. When money is number one in someone's heart, we can't get enough of it. He is never satisfied with what God has given him. This person amasses wealth, but what good is it except to his eyes? (11) We come naked into this world. Whatever we have is because God has given it to us. He has also allowed us to enjoy whatever He gives us. When we seek God over wealth, God gives us what He knows we need. When we know what we have is from God, we can truly enjoy it as God's gift to us.

Prayer: Lord, all we have comes from you. Help us to be thankful for what you have given us and to truly enjoy your gifts to us.

One Word: Enjoy what God has given us