September 16
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ECCLESIASTES 5
13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. – Ecclesiastes 5: 13-20
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ECCLESIASTES 5 THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
There are people who chase after money, riches and wealth
They lose sleep just thinking of it and compromise their health
They are preoccupied with holding on to their possessions
Such that these objects almost have a life of their own.
They gather and hoard these things for their selfish reasons
They isolate themselves and live with these belongings
Some of them die alone and buried in their hoarded things
What vanity it is to live with objects rather than human beings.
Every good gift comes from the Lord who is our only provision
He gave us abilities, talents and blessings so we can use it for his vision
The riches in this world are meaningless if we don’t have God
There is no point in gathering since we can’t bring them when we die.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it meaningless to hoard things and to chase after material wealth and riches?
• Share an experience that shows the vanity of clinging to riches and things.