QT 8/28/2024 Eccl 10:19, Materialism is a deceitful philosophy of life

Ecclesiastes 10:19 (ESV) — 19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

 

NOTE: This is a good summary verse of 'life lived under the sun.' "Bread made for laughter" represents the lust of the flesh where appetite reigns supreme. "Wine (that) gladdens life" represent the lust of the eyes where we desire the good things of life that will make us happy and fill the emptiness within. Finally, "money answers everything" represents the pride of life where our importance and power is measure in the amount of money we have. As God says to the church at Laodicea, 

 

Revelation 3:17 (ESV) — 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

 

Most sin falls into these three categories, appetite, desires, and pride -- the only things worth living for if this material world is all that there is to life. Our culture believes in the latter statement. They have been lied to by the prince of this world. And all those lies will come crashing down very soon.

 

1 John 2:15–17 (ESV) — 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I giving myself to in this life?
2. Do I believe in materialism or do I believe in God? How would my neighbor answer that question about me?

 

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to see the futility of life lived without you. We truly are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Wake us up before it is too late!