Solomon's Warning About on Money

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

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Solomon is uniquely qualified to give the believer advice about how to deal with money. First, he is the wisest man (apart from Christ) to ever live. Second, he was the richest king in his lifetime. Solomon not only has the wisdom; he has the real-life experience to boot. The Bible says Solomon became so wealthy and gold and precious stones became so common in his kingdom that silver was of little value in his day. Silver was as common as stones in his capital city of Jerusalem (I Kings 10:27). In other words, Solomon has more experience and success in this area than any of us and we would do well to heed his advice on the topic of money. 

And here is basically what he says. Money can’t be your purpose in life. 

Money is a great tool. It can be used to give your family a better life. It can be used to advance God’s kingdom or feed the hungry or educate our children. Yes, money is a great tool but it’s lousy reason for living. 

Solomon had tried it! He knew what it meant to have money and he was searching for the meaning of life, and he testifies as one who has been there that money cannot make you happy. It cannot give you purpose in life. It can't be the reason you get out of bed in the morning. If you begin to love money, if you begin to live for it, then you will never be satisfied. Matthew Henry in his renowned commentary on the whole Bible says, “Natural desires are at rest when that which is desired is obtained, but corrupt desires are insatiable.” If I am hungry and I eat food, my hunger goes away because it is a natural desire. But when I have a corrupt desire, when I lust after riches, then no amount of money will ever satisfy me. Henry adds more clarity. He says, “Nature is content with little, grace with less, but lust with nothing.” 

Wanting to be rich, loving money is a trap. And if you fall for it, you will never be satisfied! Consider what 1 Timothy 6:6-10 says on the subject. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Don’t add needless grief to your life. Beware the love of money. Guard your heart against it. Ruthlessly weed it out of your life. Use money. Earn money. Spend money. Save Money. But DON'T love money.