Q&A Part 7 – How Much Money Is Enough?
Pastor Scott Applegate
Sermon Notes:
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
More: “In greater quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number” (Dictionary.com)
• What are we really longing for when we long for more money?
1. More satisfaction
“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NLT
2. More significance
“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV
3. More security
“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.” Ecclesiastes 5:15 NIV
“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Proverbs 23:5 NIV
• What actually happens when we have more money and wealth?
We have…
1. More expenses
“The more you have, the more everyone expects from you. Your money won’t do you any good—others will just spend it for you.” Ecclesiastes 5:11 CEV
2. More worries
“People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.” Ecclesiastes 5:12 NLT
3. More difficulties and responsibilities
“I have seen something terribly unfair. People get rich, but it does them no good. Suddenly they lose everything in a bad business deal, then have nothing to leave for their children.” Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 CEV
• What does God want for us and from us regarding money?
1. More thankfulness
“And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NLT
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV
2. More contentment
“It’s better to enjoy what we have than to always want something else, because that makes no more sense than chasing the wind.” Ecclesiastes 6:9 CEV
3. More generosity
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV
“Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later.” Ecclesiastes 11:1 LB
“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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 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.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV
4. More faithfulness
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV