The Elite and the Paupers - Ecclesiastes #13

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3


Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun:

And look! The tears of the oppressed,
But they have no comforter—

On the side of their oppressors there is power,
But they have no comforter.
2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead,
More than the living who are still alive.
3 Yet, better than both is he who has never existed,
Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.


Thus far through Ecclesiastes, we’ve seen the vanity of our lives when we choose not to trust in God’s direction. Oftentimes, God will steer us through lives that don’t give us the greatest of pleasures. We work hard, and from that work we hope to earn enough money to take care of our needs and bills. If we have a little extra, and develop the discipline to save it, we could enjoy a needed vacation or a nice toy. Then there’s the need to negotiate how we will support the winter season of our lives, will there be enough?

 

Of course, there’s quite an elite group of people who don’t share those concerns. They inherit lavish amounts, live in opulence, and get to figure out how to spend the time that’s normally used for work! Many of them will give their time to social causes, making sure the high-income earners (not inheritors, but people who have occupations) pay their fair share of taxes to take care of the less fortunate. It’s easy for the silver spooners to pat themselves on the back for these social programs, since they have plenty of time on their hands not worrying how they will get the next meal on their tables!

 

In the end, even the rich and famous are called to trust in the hand of God to meet their everyday needs. Like this passage says, the hand-to-mouth serfs may envy the ones who are dead or who never even drew their first breath because they don’t have to deal with these injustices. However, Matthew 18:1-9 has a different message: it would be better for the rich not to have been born when they choose to exploit the poor for their gain. Whatever your situation, be generous and trust in God for your daily needs!


In Christ Alone,


Dan

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