‭‭Romans 12:2 NLT – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Lower Story Riches Do Not Satisfy

  • Worldly riches don’t satisfy b/c….. the powerful oppress the weak

Ecclesiastes 5:8 CSB – If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9 The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field.

  • The love of stuff is never satiated

Ecclesiastes 5:10 CSB – The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

1 Timothy 6:8-10 CSB – If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Proverbs 23:4 CSB – Don’t wear yourself out to get rich;
because you know better, stop!

  • The more you have, the more others take advantage

Ecclesiastes 5:11 CSB – When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply;

Proverbs 19:4, 6 CSB – Wealth attracts many friends,…

Many seek a ruler’s favor,
and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

  • Increased possessions bring increased stress

Ecclesiastes 5:12 CSB – The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep.

Proverbs 13:8 TLB – Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries the poor man!

  • The threat of disaster is always in front of you

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 CSB – There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. 14 That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed.

1 Timothy 6:17 CSB – Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

  • Death takes everything

Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 CSB – As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. 16 This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go.

Luke 12:21 CSB – Jesus says, That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 CSB – This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go.

How To Find True Satisfaction in Riches

  • Truly Rich People are Content with the Simple Things

Ecclesiastes 5:18 CSB – Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.

Matthew 6:21 CSB – Jesus said, Where your treasure is, your heart will be also.

  • Truly Rich People Enjoy the Prosperity God Gives

Ecclesiastes 5:19 CSB – Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God,

Hebrews 13:5 CSB – Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

1 Peter 1:3-4 CSB – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

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

Malachi 3:10 CSB – Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure

1 Timothy 6:17 CSB – Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 

Ecclesiastes 5:19 CSB – everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God,

  • Truly Rich People Live Every Day to the Fullest

Ecclesiastes 5:20 CSB – he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

  • Truly Rich Person is Rich in Relationships

Ecclesiastes 6:3 CSB – A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.