The Solomon Project-Ecclesiastes 5:13-17

Perhaps a review of what this blog is about is in order. This is a blog which attempts to apply wisdom from the Bible to the lives of those who suffer from sexual addiction and compulsivity from a variety of worldviews and faiths.

This section is a continuation of the last week's blog. The fruits of one's labor may not bring about the intended outcome. Gathering wealth and focusing on it as the object of love in life is illusory. It brings no rest. This week the study continues this thought.

"I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner," (Ecc 5:13 NIV) Solomon makes a statement here which he will elaborate on. The "grievous evil" here is the thought of a sickness and is the same phrase used in 1:13 and 4:8.

"or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him." (Ecc 5:14 NIV) It is just as grievous an evil to lose all you have worked for in some misfortune. Both are a sickness to the owner. The context would point to the examples found in 5:1-7 and 8-9: corrupted power, the consequences of rash vows, and the inability to enjoy restfulness. The hope is that the father would be able to pass on at least some wealth to his son. A legacy--something that was tangible and demonstrated the fruit of his labor. But through misfortune there was nothing to pass on. As I write this the Dow has closed and closed up 96.53. But is of little solace considering its massive slide. The present economic condition that the US finds itself in has very little to do with the vast majority of Americans. This is an excellent example of a grievous evil that befalls those who live "under the sun."

We must now explore how this next verse plays into the writer's thought: "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand." (Ecc 5:15 NIV) Solomon presses the though of the unreliability of wealth to bring lasting value. the proverbial "You can't take it with you." Probably at least in part came from this verse. The writer states the obvious: You come into the world with nothing and you leave the world with nothing. Even if you can manage to hang on to the accumulation of the fruits of your labor. It is a hollow victory because it stays here as you go to the grave.

"This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?" (Ecc 5:16 NIV) The author brings into this observation the -by now familiar refrain of-chasing after wind, attempting to catch a vapor, the exhalation of life's breath. He returns to the though of 5:13 a "depressing misfortune."

The final verse in our meditation this week is "All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger." (Ecc 5:17 NIV) Affliction has to do with the word "grievous" of 5:13, 16 and literally means "sickness." This sickness returns the reader to the thought of "harm to the owner" or the gatherer as the case may be of verse 13. Darkness does not refer to physical darkness but the blindness that comes with being obsessed with life under the sun. This should bring light to the one living under the "sun(light)" but does not, he lives in darkness. Compare the thought here with 2:12-14. Anger and wrath (frustration) are the final conclusion of a life lived in foolishness and darkness.

As people who suffer from addiction and compulsivity we look for things, objects and yes, behaviors that can give us security. It takes at least a certain amount of financial stability to carry out addictive behaviors. But these things are illusory much as addiction is. It provides the illusion of satisfaction. But as we are all finding out now nothing is stable. This brings us back to step three: "We turn our will over to the care of God as we understood him." As people who are in recovery, we practice these principles in all our affairs. We are on a spiritual journey of progress not perfection. The transitoriness of this life and its attendant attractions present an alternate addiction. We must continue to live life under the sun connected to our "higher power" This is where our understanding of God becomes all important. Do we understand that he has restored us to sanity and everything else is increasingly less difficult? That God has all power and can and will take care of us through all circumstances.

I am reminded of the Osmond Family. This family of actors and singers had amassed a fortune but lost it through unwise investments. They filed bankruptcy but paid all their creditors back eventually. God can take care of those who entrust themselves into His care. My life is a testimony to this.

Our time is up for today so until next week: keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.