Leader Lesson
TEXT: Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:9
DATE: March 8, 2015
Most of us probably have some familiarity with what the Bible says about the love of money.
1 Timothy 6:10 says the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; a distraction from the
things that really matter and a danger so real that it may cause men to “pierce themselves
with many griefs.” Yet, how do we appreciate the money God gives us to steward and
provide for our families while keeping a healthy view of money?
In today’s lesson, we’ll explore how money is a gift from God, but apart from the Provider,
the gift will never satisfy our deepest longings. I don’t think Paul was relaying to Timothy
that money is inherently evil, but the greed and discontentment that comes with it is. Only in
Jesus will you ever be truly satisfied and content.
Money is not inherently evil, but when money takes our highest priority, it becomes an
outward sign of an inward sin of greed and discontentment. When greed creeps in, the Gospel
becomes secondary. The way a Christian stewards his money should look significantly
different from those who do not know Christ. All that we have are gifts from God and every
gift - from money to time to resources - can be used to glorify God and advance the Gospel.
As your group time begins, use this section to help get conversation going. Read through the
questions and have an answer for each question prepared yourself to get the group talking if
need be.
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Have you ever had a time when you struggled financially? Did you ask for help?
How did it make you feel to admit to family and friends that you couldn’t do it all on
your own?
Have you ever made a huge purchase and regretted it? What did you buy and why did
you decide it wasn’t the best purchase?
Have you or your children ever received a gift and immediately expressed your
displeasure with it? What do you think this response showed about your heart?
Have you ever saved money so you could purchase something special, only to have
the newness and excitement over the item fade?
Are you a spender or a saver? How could both be negative? How could both be a
picture of faith in God?
Leader Lesson
Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says about a particular topic.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE TALK ABOUT MONEY AND WEALTH?
Throughout Scripture, God commands us to steward the gifts (that are ultimately his anyway)
that He has given us in a way that honors Him. We can honor Him with the way we spend
our money, no matter how much we have. Obedience to God’s commands should be
paramount in all aspects of our lives, including how we use our resources.
WHY IS MONEY AND WEALTH OFTEN VIEWED NEGATIVELY?
The constant desire for more wealth is a direct result of the Fall. When Christ returns to make
everything right and to establish His eternal Kingdom, we will no longer worry about money
and the desire to acquire more of it.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ ECCLESIASTES 5:10-17
What does this passage teach us about money and wealth?
The desire for money and wealth will never satisfy. We will never feel that we have enough
when our peace and fulfillment is found in acquiring more. It is too easy to fall into this trap
of pursuing money and more stuff rather than God, who provides it. We seek the gift instead
of the Giver. In the end, all the labor for riches will be useless in light of eternity.
What is the worker in verse 12 like?
He is satisfied in the work he does and the money he has. He sleeps well at night because he
is taken care of and without the longing for more.
Why was it such a tragedy for the man to lose his money in a bad business venture?
He had a family to provide for, and was unable to do so (v.14)?
Do you know anyone who “struggles for the wind” (v.16)? Do they seem to have joy or
peace? Why might it be a tragedy to save all your money just for the purpose of stockpiling
it?
Do you know anyone who has used their wealth in a way that honored God? What words
would you use to describe the way they give? Are they humble, joyful, and generous? Did
they want accolades? Did they seek to be known for their gifts?
Guide the group to discuss the impact money has had on their lives over time. Discuss times
you may have erred on the incorrect side of how you should feel about money and the pursuit
of it. If you feel that you spent time pursuing wealth, what would you change if you could
relive that time?
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ ECCLESIASTES 5:18-20
What do these verses tell us about the way we should view our lives?
Work was ordained by God before the Fall as something good. Our work, life, and any
wealth we have are gifts that God desires us to enjoy and take pleasure in, but not to put all
our stock in. Verse 20 says it well, “God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.” He is
content because God is His utmost desire.
Leader Lesson
One commentary said: “The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of
life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his
will, and to his glory.”
Another commentary states: “This does not indicate an unreflective attitude toward life but
simply means that the one to whom God grants contentment will not allow the darker
realities of human existence to overshadow divinely bestowed blessings.”
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ ECCLESIASTES 6:1-9
What is the man’s plight in the verses?
He has everything He could ever need, but still cannot enjoy them because his appetite for
more is never satisfied. Wealth, possessions, honor, long life, and or the highest of all earthly
blessings, children (Gen 15:15, Psalm 127), can’t bring contentment for the man who is never
satisfied.
In verses 7-9, what is Solomon telling us about where we find true satisfaction?
Even what the poor man has is sufficient and will sustain him comfortably. Satisfaction does
not come from this world. Striving after earthly desires is like striving after the wind. It is
better to live by faith of things to come! Only in Christ are we truly content; not in the riches
that He has given.
Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their
lives. Create some talking points for the group by looking at the practical implications of the
lesson. Get group members to talk about the real life implications of the passage. Look also at
what can be applied specifically in context to the faith family at Fairview.
Money is a necessity to our survival, but also a stumbling block for many. With the Holy
Spirit’s constant preaching of the Gospel to our hearts, our hearts can be moved to cherish
God more than anything that might be acquired on this earth, knowing that we don’t live for
this earth but for another. Only because Jesus generously gave His life for us, we can give
generously to others.
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What might need to happen in your heart to realign your priorities in light of today’s
Scripture? Do you feel you have a healthy view of money? What might God be
calling you to do so that you are stewarding God’s resources more faithfully?
How might God intending money and wealth to be enjoyed coincide with God’s
intent for you to use money for His glory? What are some ways you might invest in
God’s Kingdom and the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
What are some specific things you can change in the ways you currently spend your
money? How might you need to pray and ask God to change your attitudes?
Leader Lesson
Ecclesiastes 5:10, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he
who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
Close your time in prayer. Pray that the Lord would strip away the desire for more wealth and
replace it with a desire for more of Him. Pray that God would impress upon your heart that
He is the only One who can truly satisfy. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move you to steward
your gifts in ways that will make His great name among the nations. Pray that our church
would be generous givers and that in the end, God’s name would be made known to the ends
of the earth.
Midway through this week, you might consider sending a follow-up note/phone call/e-mail to
your group with some or all of the following information:
How has the Lord worked in your heart toward contentment this week? How might He
be leading you to use your money to best glorify Him?
Have you spent more time desiring the Giver of all good gifts or the gifts themselves?
Have you taken time to thank God for all He has given and to rest in His unchanging
love?
The challenge is to memorize Ecclesiastes 5:10.
Next week’s sermon is from Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 (3:16-22).