Consumerism (Chantilly)

Solomon’s Frustration with His Consumerism

“Enough” is Never Enough Because…

• There is so Much Injustice

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 NIV – 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.

Life in general has never been even close to fair, so the pretense that the government can make it fair is a valuable and inexhaustible asset to politicians who want to expand government

The welfare state is not really about the welfare of the masses. It is about the egos of the elites. – Thomas Sowell

• Desire for Riches is Like a Bottomless Pit

Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV – 

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

Proverbs 23:4 says, Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

• Greedy Friends take Advantage

Ecclesiastes 5:11 NIV – As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.

Proverbs 19:6 ESV –

Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts

• More Stuff. More Stress.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 ESV – Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Proverbs 13:8 NLT – Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries a poor man.

• The Threat of Failure Creates Insecurity

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 NIV –

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

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.

v.14, or wealth lost through some misfortune,

• The Death Tax is 100%

Ecclesiastes 5:15 NIV – 

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
that they can carry in their hands.

Luke 12:15 NIV – Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Luke 12:20-21 NIV – “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

²¹ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

How to Find Satisfaction in a Consumerist World

• True Wealth is Found Being Satisfied in Simple Things

Ecclesiastes 5:18 NIV – This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 

“Wealth itself has only a small direct effect on happiness because it so effectively speeds up the hedonic treadmill … As the level of wealth has doubled or tripled in the last fifty years in many industrialized nations, the levels of happiness and satisfaction with life that people report have not changed, and depression has actually become more common.”– Jonathan Haidt

1 Timothy 6:6 ESV – But godliness with contentment is great gain.

• Enjoy Every Good Thing as a Gift from God

James 1:17 NIV – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV – Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happyintheir toil—this is a gift of God.

How to enjoy wealth from God

1) Move from “demanding” to “accepting” spirit

Ecclesiastes 5:19, Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot … – this is a gift of God.

2) Move from “grabbing” to “giving”—put God first in your finances

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV – Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

• Find Pleasure in Your Work

Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV – Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

• Quit Living for “More” and Enjoy Today to the Fullest

Ecclesiastes 5:20 NIV – They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

• Develop Deep Relationships

Ecclesiastes 6:3 NIV – 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.

Mark 8:36 NIV – What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

2 Peter 1:11 says, you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.