WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Good morning, church. It's good to see you all this morning. Would you turn with me to the book of Ecclesiastes? 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:17.339 ! That's Ecclesiastes. We're in chapter 5 today. We're going to begin in verse 8 of chapter 5 and continue through the end of chapter 6. 00:00:21.859 --> 00:00:26.600 So let me pray, and then I'll read our text for us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:46.179 Father, we ask that by Your Spirit, You would give us ears to hear what it is You are saying to us today through Your Word. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:58.400 Father, we remember what the Apostle said about the Scriptures, that they are all breathed out by You and profitable for our good. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.459 And Jesus, we remember how You told us that all of Scripture testifies to You. 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:15.700 So help us to know that good and to see You, Lord Jesus, as we meditate on Your Word today. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:20.280 We pray this, Father, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:28.420 Amen. All right, Ephesians 5, verse 8 through the end of chapter 6. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:28.939 Excuse me. 00:01:28.939 --> 00:01:37.120 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, 00:01:38.019 --> 00:01:40.000 do not be amazed at the matter. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:46.340 For the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:54.420 But this is gain for a land in every way, a king committed to cultivated fields. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:02:03.359 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:05.320 This also is vanity. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:09.620 When goods increase, they increase who eat them. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:14.659 And what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:23.500 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:27.000 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun. 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:32.180 Riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. 00:02:33.079 --> 00:02:35.759 And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:40.060 As he came from his mother's womb, he shall go out again, naked as he came, 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:44.300 and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:47.159 This also is a grievous evil. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.180 Just as he came, so shall he go. 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:52.879 And what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 00:02:54.280 --> 00:03:00.819 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, in much vexation and sickness and anger. 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:14.199 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:20.900 with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:26.719 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:29.340 and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil. 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:31.479 This is the gift of God. 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:39.400 For he will not much remember the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:44.060 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind, 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:49.020 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor so that he likes nothing of all he desires. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:55.099 Yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:56.639 This is vanity. 00:03:57.060 --> 00:03:58.000 It's a grievous evil. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:02.519 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years so that the days of his years are many, 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:08.459 but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:12.199 I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 00:04:12.859 --> 00:04:16.860 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:22.740 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:33.079 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good, do not all go to the one place. 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:40.379 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:44.680 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool, and what does the poor man have 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.980 who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:50.720 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite. 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:53.600 This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:58.300 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, 00:04:58.520 --> 00:05:01.300 and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.860 The more words, the more vanity. 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:06.160 And what is the advantage to man? 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:12.879 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:15.040 which he passes like a shadow? 00:05:15.719 --> 00:05:20.579 For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:24.040 Okay. 00:05:26.159 --> 00:05:30.980 So, our passage this morning is about money. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:33.019 It's about money. 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:40.360 More specifically, it's about the love of money, or what we would call greed. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:44.300 Verse 10, look there, that helps to kind of center us. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:48.340 Verse 10 talks about the one who loves money and the one who loves wealth. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:52.220 But greed, you know, is kind of a funny thing. 00:05:53.400 --> 00:06:00.639 The sin of greed or covetousness has a way of being very hard to detect in yourself. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:05.360 Compare that with something like murder. 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:08.360 It's easy to know when you've murdered someone, right? 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:10.319 It's easy to know when you've committed adultery. 00:06:11.080 --> 00:06:16.020 It's easy to recognize maybe when you're sinfully angry at someone or when you're lusting after someone in your heart. 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:17.639 But greed is different. 00:06:18.420 --> 00:06:19.939 Greed is much harder to detect. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:24.100 In Luke 12, Jesus acknowledges this. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:24.460 He says, 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:26.259 Take care. 00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:31.980 Be on your guard against all covetousness or greed. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:36.800 For one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:44.900 Now, if that were true in the first century when Jesus spoke those words, and if it was true hundreds of years before Jesus when Ecclesiastes was written, 00:06:45.020 --> 00:06:51.139 how much more is that the case today that we have to be on guard to take care? 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:59.599 After all, money, profit, accumulation, advertising, this is the air that we breathe. 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:04.219 Everything is monetized and sold. 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:08.600 Have you seen the commercials where the kids are graduating from, like, middle school, 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:14.800 and the parents have sort of licensed out their name to the local, like, tanning salon and the local insurance broker? 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:17.660 Seems crazy, right? 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:21.960 Everything, though, is monetized and sold. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:26.220 Money is sort of the story that we live by. 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:28.480 Theologian Susan White describes it this way. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:28.960 She says, 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:34.840 If there's an overarching metanarrative that purports to explain reality in our day, 00:07:35.640 --> 00:07:39.780 it is surely the metanarrative of the free market economy. 00:07:40.760 --> 00:07:45.360 In the beginning of this narrative is the self-made, self-sufficient human being. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:51.280 At the end of this narrative is the big house, the big car, the expensive clothes. 00:07:52.020 --> 00:07:59.520 And in the middle is the struggle for success, the greed, the getting and spending in a world 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:01.740 where there's no such thing as a free lunch. 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:11.819 Most of us have made this so thoroughly our story, she says, that we're hardly aware of its influence. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:19.099 Anecdotally, one school teacher observed that years ago, 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.819 when he asked his students what they wanted to be when they grew up, 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:25.240 they would say a profession, a teacher, a lawyer, an engineer. 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:28.219 But his observation was that not anymore. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:32.340 Now, the overwhelming answer that he gets from his students is simply, 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.399 I want to be a billionaire. 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:36.879 Just rich. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:39.059 That's what I want to be. 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:46.859 So perhaps we need the message of Ecclesiastes 5 and 6 now more than ever. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:51.239 And I want to point out three things in our text as we consider it today. 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:56.839 The first thing that Ecclesiastes is going to show us is the problem with greed. 00:08:57.819 --> 00:09:00.919 And then second, it's going to show us the alternative to greed. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:05.199 And then third, the power to overcome greed. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:10.339 So the power, excuse me, the problem, the alternative, and the power. 00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:11.979 That's what we're going to do. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:13.939 So first, let's look at the problem of greed. 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:17.620 This is in verses 8 through 17 of chapter 5, 8 through 17. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:21.099 And there are really two problems that Ecclesiastes highlights with greed. 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:25.240 And the first problem is that greed corrupts society. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.799 Verse 8 speaks about the oppression of the poor 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:30.099 and the violation of justice and righteousness. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:34.579 But how did that oppression and violation of justice and righteousness and fairness come about? 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:37.679 Was it because there were just a few bad people spoiling it? 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:40.579 Was it because some people weren't taking enough personal responsibility? 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:42.159 No, Ecclesiastes says. 00:09:42.859 --> 00:09:44.719 Greed's actually corrupted the whole system. 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:47.219 Don't be amazed at the matter, he says. 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:50.359 For the high official is watched by a higher. 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:52.159 And there are yet higher ones over them. 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.139 Now what does that mean? 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.579 What is he getting at there? 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.519 The high official is watched by a higher. 00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:03.979 Well, the sense of that phrase is that the lower official who's taking advantage of the poor 00:10:03.979 --> 00:10:10.500 is watched over and protected by a higher official who's also profiting from the injustice. 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:14.039 And those officials have yet higher ones over them 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:17.139 who are also getting rich from the oppression and injustices 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:19.419 against the weak and the vulnerable and the marginalized and poor. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:25.719 So greed corrupts the institutions and authority structures all the way up. 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:32.820 And these structures were ones that got originally established to protect the poor and the vulnerable, 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:40.840 to ensure that land and resources and labor and wealth would not be amassed more and more by a few 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:42.680 while the rest kind of barely get by. 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:45.319 Verse 9 says, 00:10:45.319 --> 00:10:50.379 The king is supposed to be committed to cultivated fields. 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:58.719 That is, protecting the rights of the people so they can work, cultivate their fields, and enjoy the fruit of their labor. 00:11:00.099 --> 00:11:04.839 But instead, greed has created layers of injustice where that doesn't happen. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:13.040 You know, in ancient Israel, God even established a system where every generation, roughly, 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:18.840 the ownership of land would revert back to the sort of ancestral clans and families 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:20.740 that were originally allotted the land. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.180 This is what was called the year of Jubilee. 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:27.919 And when that happened, debts were canceled, slaves and servants were freed. 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:35.620 Basically, the whole economy was reset so that wealth wouldn't just be amassed in the hands of a few, 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:38.559 but so that the whole society could flourish. 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:45.759 And so that the main goal of society wouldn't actually be the accumulation of wealth, 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:54.860 but the cultivation of community and mutuality and the worship of God, not the worship of money. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.379 But Ecclesiastes says, 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.819 Don't be surprised. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:04.399 Greed corrupts. 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:09.120 Greed will create societies where the high official is watched over by a higher, 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.960 and there are yet higher ones over them, 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:13.759 making sure that the exploitation of the poor goes unchecked, 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:18.039 and making sure that the profits continue to flow to those in power. 00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:23.379 But greed doesn't just damage society. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:26.899 Ecclesiastes 5 points out a second problem with greed. 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:30.480 Greed damages the soul. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:34.419 We see this in verses 10 through 17. 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:39.919 Those who love money will never be satisfied with money, verse 10 says. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:41.939 It'll never be enough. 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:43.420 You'll always want more. 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:46.800 And then, verses 11 through 12, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:49.820 Ecclesiastes points out that increasing wealth 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:52.220 actually brings more stress into one's life 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:54.320 so that one is unable to really enjoy it. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:57.320 When goods increase, they increase who eat them. 00:12:58.420 --> 00:13:01.080 In other words, the more wealth you have, 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:03.920 the more time and energy it takes to manage it. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:07.259 Or as the rappers would say when I was in middle school, 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.899 mo' money, mo' problems. 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:10.279 That was biblical. 00:13:13.959 --> 00:13:15.339 And the result is that, 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:18.779 the result of all this is that you can see your wealth, 00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:21.819 you can see the large amounts of wealth you've accumulated, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.679 but you don't really get to enjoy it. 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.500 You have a full stomach, 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:28.599 but your full schedule means you never sleep. 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:31.700 And that's not all. 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:36.580 Verses 13 through 16 remind us that wealth can be quickly lost. 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:39.899 We can build our lives around money. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:44.820 We can form our identities around wealth and what we possess, 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:49.160 only to find that when it's taken away, 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:52.460 our lives are empty and meaningless. 00:13:53.760 --> 00:13:55.960 And even if we die rich, 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:58.340 we take nothing with us. 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:03.120 And so verse 17 concludes that the life lived 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.620 for the love of money 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:09.180 leaves the soul in a troubled and lost condition. 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:13.239 All his days he eats in darkness, 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:15.199 in much vexation, 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:16.659 in sickness, 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.259 in anger. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.620 Greed corrupts the soul. 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.199 It's a sickness 00:14:23.199 --> 00:14:25.759 that leaves us in darkness, 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.199 vexation, 00:14:27.979 --> 00:14:28.319 anger. 00:14:31.599 --> 00:14:34.579 So Ecclesiastes shows us the problem with greed. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.139 Greed comes and makes great promises. 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:38.460 Promises is, 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.340 I'll make you happy. 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:41.120 I'll make you prosperous. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.899 I'll make you powerful. 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:44.939 Instead, 00:14:45.199 --> 00:14:46.580 it leaves us miserable 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.819 and broken. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.220 We accumulate more 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:50.699 and more 00:14:50.699 --> 00:14:51.220 and more, 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.740 but it corrupts 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.299 the structures of our society 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:56.960 and it hollows out our soul. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.639 So what's the alternative? 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.700 And here's where Ecclesiastes 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:06.100 is perhaps a little surprising. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.379 You might think 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:10.220 that if the love of money 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:10.939 was the problem, 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.080 then the alternative would be 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:14.899 to get rid of our possessions, 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.939 to renounce everything, 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:19.220 to live an ascetic life 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:21.100 where we reject the material world. 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:26.259 But that's not the true alternative to greed. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:30.819 The most radical alternative to the love of money 00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:34.419 is not an ascetic renunciation of the material world. 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.980 The real alternative to greed 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:42.159 is actually contentment. 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:46.720 That's the second main point of our passage. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:49.399 This is the alternative to greed. 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:52.000 Look again at verses 18 through 20. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.000 Behold, 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.840 behold, 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:56.759 what I have seen to be good 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:58.379 and fitting 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:00.460 is to eat 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.919 and drink 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:03.860 and find enjoyment 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.299 in all the toil 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:07.000 with which one toils 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:07.860 under the sun 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.059 the few days of his life 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:10.500 that God has given him, 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.919 for this is his lot. 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.340 Everyone also 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.860 to whom God has given wealth 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.440 and possessions 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.100 and power 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.320 to enjoy them 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:20.240 and to accept his lot 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.600 and to rejoice in his toil. 00:16:22.040 --> 00:16:23.800 This is the gift of God. 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:26.360 For he will not much remember 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.879 the days of his life 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.960 because God keeps him occupied 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:32.279 with joy in his heart. 00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:37.019 To enjoy what you have, 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.680 whether it is a little 00:16:38.680 --> 00:16:39.779 or a lot, 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.340 in other words, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.279 to find genuine contentment, 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:44.460 that's the alternative to greed. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:44.540 Greed. 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.519 Greed's like a fire 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.400 that burns and burns 00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:50.639 and no matter how much fuel 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.300 you feed it, 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.440 it always wants more and more. 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:53.600 And sooner or later, 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.600 greed stops caring 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.680 where the fuel comes from. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.220 So it turns a blind eye 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.780 to injustice, 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.480 to oppression, 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.340 to exploitation, 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.519 to unfair practices, 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:02.060 to the people who are hurt 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.840 or who suffer 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.560 at the expense 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.319 of those who are getting 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.299 wealthier and wealthier. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.600 Greed just keeps burning 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:08.319 its destructive dark fire. 00:17:09.840 --> 00:17:11.140 But contentment 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.840 is not that way. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.920 Contentment is a joy 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:19.420 that spreads over all of life. 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.059 It's like a fresh breeze 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.400 that can enter the windows 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:24.940 and fill the whole house 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.900 with life 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:27.900 and with cool, soothing air. 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:30.039 And the fresh breeze 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.740 of contentment 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.460 doesn't depend 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.620 on the size of the house 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.759 or the number of cars 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.420 in the driveway 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.720 or the number of zeros 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.660 in the bank account. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:37.900 It finds joy 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.400 with a little or a lot. 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:41.880 And it finds joy 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:44.720 not just in one's own flourishing, 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.680 but in the flourishing 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.280 of others. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:51.660 It's not content 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:53.220 to just amass 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.380 all for itself, 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.640 but has open hands 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.800 to see others 00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:59.360 enter into that joy as well. 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.600 Contrast the summary statements 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.880 of these two alternatives, 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.900 greed and contentment, 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:08.560 in verses 17 and verse 20. 00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:10.480 I like how the New Living Translation 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.680 kind of captures the sense 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.660 of each of these texts. 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.360 Those captive to greed, 00:18:14.540 --> 00:18:15.440 in verse 17, 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.980 the New Living Translation says, 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.480 they live under a cloud, 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:19.660 frustrated, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.800 discouraged, 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.200 and angry. 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:25.040 But for those who know contentment, 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.740 verse 20 says, 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:28.900 God keeps such people 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:30.680 so busy enjoying life 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:32.360 that they take no time 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:34.539 to brood over the past. 00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:37.820 In fact, 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:39.400 rather than losing themselves 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:41.500 in frustration and anger, 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.080 in contentment, 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:44.960 they find themselves. 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.580 The Jewish philosopher 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.299 Emmanuel Levinas 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.740 once wrote, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.120 only in enjoyment 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:53.560 does the eye 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:55.240 crystallize. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.620 Good continental philosopher. 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.240 You have no idea 00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.860 what that means. 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.979 I had to read it 00:19:00.979 --> 00:19:01.539 like eight times. 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.719 In other words, 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.259 it means this. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.339 Greed shatters you, 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:05.959 breaks you into 00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:06.819 a million pieces. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.539 You're trying to find 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.099 your satisfaction 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.039 here and there 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.919 and here and there 00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:12.279 and you just get disilluted. 00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:15.679 But the joy of contentment 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.119 will give you 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.419 an integrated life. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.419 It'll make you whole. 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.659 It will give you a center. 00:19:23.179 --> 00:19:24.639 Only in enjoyment 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:27.139 does the eye 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.759 crystallize. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:33.720 But this immediately 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.720 pushes us to the third 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.759 main point of our passage. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:38.079 We've seen that the alternative 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.119 to greed is the joy 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.920 of contentment, 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.940 but where do we find 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.619 the power? 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:43.180 Where do we find 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.859 the power 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.119 to actually overcome 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:46.140 greed in our hearts 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.480 and live in true contentment? 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.379 Chapter 6 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:50.960 kind of raises 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.799 this question. 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.220 He says, 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.440 there's an evil 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.860 that I've seen 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.339 under the sun 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.100 and it lies heavy 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:55.720 on mankind, 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.600 a man to whom God 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.299 gives wealth, 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:57.700 possessions, 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.180 and honor 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.019 so that he lacks 00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.680 nothing of all 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.339 that he desires 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.140 yet God does not 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.980 give him power 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.200 to enjoy them. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.720 But a stranger 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.339 enjoys them. 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.019 This is vanity. 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.759 It's a grievous evil. 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.440 And then Ecclesiastes 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.360 does an even deeper 00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:13.200 thought experiment. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.900 This isn't just about 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.240 losing what you have 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.940 to a stranger, 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.440 but listen, 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:18.779 he says, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.259 let's say you have 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.980 wealth and possessions 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.460 and honor 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:21.779 and you have 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:23.120 a giant family 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.940 and you live 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.200 a long time. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:27.059 What good is any 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.620 of that 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:29.039 if your soul 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.720 is not actually 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.660 satisfied 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.480 with the good 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.539 things you have? 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.920 And he says 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.720 kind of shockingly 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.920 in verses 3 and 4, 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.079 it's better not 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:39.259 to be born at all 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.339 than to live 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.079 a long life 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.559 and not enjoy 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.299 the good things 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.880 you've been given. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:47.240 And for Ecclesiastes, 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.180 the greatest problem, 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.400 the greatest barrier 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.160 to contentment 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:51.420 is the fact 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:53.240 that we're going 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.759 to die. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.380 This life will end 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:58.040 and everything 00:20:58.040 --> 00:20:59.100 we've accumulated 00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:01.360 will not go with us. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.800 So how do we find 00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:06.440 satisfaction? 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:09.019 Where does the power 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.680 of contentment 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.300 come from 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:10.759 in the face 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.279 of all that? 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.259 Where do we find 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.120 a satisfaction 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:15.640 not dependent 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.800 on material things 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.799 so that we can 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.559 actually turn 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.419 and enjoy 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:22.359 the created realities 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.000 of this life? 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.399 You know, 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:28.740 as we turn 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.399 to the New Testament 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:31.019 in Philippians 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.740 chapter 4, 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.500 the Apostle Paul 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.059 says something 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.799 very interesting. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.539 He says, 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.099 in verse 11 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.700 of chapter 4, 00:21:39.700 --> 00:22:03.319 Paul found 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:05.480 the secret 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.720 of contentment. 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.579 He actually 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.919 found the power 00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:12.079 that extinguished 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.839 the dark 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.519 insatiable 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.480 fire of greed 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.879 and unleashed 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.859 the life-giving breeze 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.659 of contentment 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.240 through his soul 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.019 and through his life. 00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:21.299 What was it? 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:24.059 How did he manage 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:25.019 to find 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.919 what the old 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.839 Puritan theologian 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.700 Jeremiah Burroughs 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.059 called 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.720 the rare jewel 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.339 of contentment? 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.099 Well, 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.579 Paul's answer 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.079 was this. 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.720 I can do 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.879 all of this 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:43.879 through Jesus Christ 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.859 who strengthens me. 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:48.679 Paul's relationship 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:50.339 with Jesus Christ 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.399 was the key 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.859 that unlocked 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.919 the secret 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:54.779 and the power 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.539 of contentment. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.139 You see, 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.039 back in Ecclesiastes, 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.779 Ecclesiastes, 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.440 Ecclesiastes actually 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.339 did see 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.639 ultimately 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.359 where contentment 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:03.859 comes from. 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.000 He says it again 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.419 and again 00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:07.579 in chapter 5, 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.599 verses 18 through 20. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.059 He says, 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.200 this is the gift 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.000 of God. 00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:12.539 It's only 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.379 in relationship 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.379 with our Creator 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:16.159 that true contentment 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:17.460 can ever come to us. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.519 You see, 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:20.079 greed is a false god 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.299 telling us 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.960 to worship money 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.500 and possessions 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.399 and promising us 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:23.779 happiness 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.000 and power 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.579 and security. 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.960 But the worship 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.279 of those created things 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.000 has brought 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.720 the opposite. 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:30.980 It's actually 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:32.460 alienated us 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.119 from our Creator 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.140 who's the only source 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.079 of life and goodness 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.900 and satisfaction. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.940 And only if we're 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.059 reconciled to God 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.460 will we have 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.380 any hope 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:42.579 to genuinely enjoy 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:44.839 God's created gifts. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.099 Apart from God, 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.880 we're destined 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:49.039 for darkness 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.920 and vexation 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.619 and death. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:52.699 But if we could be 00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:53.899 restored to God, 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.799 to His love, 00:23:54.899 --> 00:23:55.679 to His goodness, 00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:57.059 then we could fully 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.179 enjoy this world 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:58.739 He's made. 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:01.259 One writer put it 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.599 this way, 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:02.299 this connection. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:02.739 He said, 00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:04.279 where the love 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.919 of God 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.799 is firm, 00:24:07.699 --> 00:24:09.019 full enjoyment 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.959 of the creation 00:24:09.959 --> 00:24:10.959 is possible 00:24:10.959 --> 00:24:11.859 and desirable. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.779 He says, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:16.019 in that place, 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.639 one is completely 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.799 in the arms of God 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.279 and completely 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.019 in the world. 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.859 But how is our 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.379 relationship 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.119 with our Creator 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.680 restored? 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.019 By what power 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.019 are we forgiven 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.980 of our idolatry 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.839 and brought back 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.440 into fellowship 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:34.960 with God 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.000 and with His good gifts? 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:39.160 And that's what 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.799 Ecclesiastes 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.660 could not see. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.839 He saw where 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.799 it ultimately came from, 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.859 but he wasn't 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.299 so sure 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:48.480 how to get there. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.619 And that's why 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.940 the passage ends 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.480 with questions. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.099 Who knows 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.940 what's good for man 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.519 while he lives 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.039 a few days 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.940 of his fleeting life 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.440 which passes 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.039 like a shadow? 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.440 Who can tell man 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.279 what will be after him 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.819 under the sun? 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.240 Very honest grappling 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:08.079 for Ecclesiastes, 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.220 God is the answer, 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.980 but God remains distant. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.180 God is sovereign, 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.620 yes. 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.859 God is good, 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:15.400 yes. 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.700 But the mystery 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.779 of how sinful humans 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.120 are reconciled to Him 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.259 stays veiled. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.099 And so for Ecclesiastes, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.920 the mystery, 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.839 the power of contentment 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:27.319 remains hidden. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.059 And that's why 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.740 the New Testament 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.000 ought to strike us 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.620 as such good news. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.259 I've learned 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.759 the secret, 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.279 Paul says. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.079 But this secret, 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.519 it's not like 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.160 most secrets 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.500 because it's not private 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.519 and it's not hidden. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.299 And this secret 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.819 isn't something 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.500 you have to spend 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.019 a bunch of money 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:48.599 to discover. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.599 You don't have to go 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.779 find the right guru, 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.559 right, 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.279 and give them 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.700 all your money 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.160 and subscribe 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.980 to all their YouTube feeds 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.980 and all this ridiculous stuff 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.259 to learn how to be content. 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.779 You don't have to travel 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.380 across the world 00:25:59.380 --> 00:25:59.920 to find it. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.079 This secret 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.099 that Paul's talking about 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.199 has been announced 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:05.539 publicly for everyone 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.019 to hear. 00:26:07.199 --> 00:26:07.959 This good news 00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.959 is for everyone 00:26:08.959 --> 00:26:11.179 and it is heralded 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:12.379 to all creation. 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.419 It's heralded 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:17.099 from the Creator Himself. 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.039 And this secret 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.399 costs nothing 00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:23.199 and it comes to you 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:24.159 free of charge. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:27.440 And the open secret 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.380 is this, 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:31.820 that in Jesus Christ, 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.440 God, 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.700 our ultimate satisfaction, 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.759 has come down 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:39.900 and reconciled sinners 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.680 to Himself 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:42.480 through His own work, 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.759 through His own initiative, 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.120 through His own purpose 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.600 and plan. 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:49.060 Through Jesus' death 00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:49.740 and resurrection, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.580 you see, 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:51.900 the greedy, 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.180 the unjust, 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:54.580 the dissatisfied, 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.160 those who are grinding away 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.539 in vexation and darkness. 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:59.460 Because Jesus Christ 00:26:59.460 --> 00:26:59.820 has come, 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.480 we can turn away 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:03.000 from our love of money 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.000 and created things 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.820 and be forgiven. 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.160 And we can know 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.920 a satisfaction 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:10.279 that the love of money 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.320 could never bring. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.259 The satisfaction 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.220 of God's grace 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.240 in Jesus Christ, 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:18.120 that is what will bring 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.320 real contentment 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:19.940 to your heart. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.940 How so? 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:26.680 Because in Jesus Christ, 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.820 your enjoyment, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.560 not only of God's gifts, 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:33.039 but of God Himself, 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.820 will never end. 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.060 You know, 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.120 Ecclesiastes is right. 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.880 Life under the sun, 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:41.940 that is, 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.000 life without reference 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.500 to God, 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.299 is very fleeting. 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.460 It will not last. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.500 And it will end 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.660 in darkness forever. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:50.680 But life with God, 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:53.060 life in fellowship 00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:53.700 with God, 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.500 that life 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:57.040 is never ending. 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.620 The psalmist says 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.120 of the Lord, 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.680 in your right hand 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:03.019 are pleasures 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.940 forevermore. 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.200 And you see, 00:28:06.340 --> 00:28:08.080 God raised Jesus 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.800 from the dead 00:28:08.800 --> 00:28:10.460 to conquer sin 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.960 and death 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.080 so that all 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.980 who turn and trust 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.360 in Him 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:15.179 might also enjoy 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:17.779 that satisfaction 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.719 with God, 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.759 that reconciliation 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.519 with God 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.279 forever. 00:28:22.679 --> 00:28:23.599 Those who are in Christ 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.240 will be raised 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.679 with Him 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:25.279 on the last day. 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.519 You see, 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.419 Jesus' resurrection 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:27.740 is the first fruits. 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.500 It's the promise 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.259 of what's to come 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.119 for all who've been 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:31.259 united to Him 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.859 by faith. 00:28:33.219 --> 00:28:33.859 This is why 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.319 the apostles 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.219 couldn't stop talking 00:28:35.219 --> 00:28:36.019 about the resurrection 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:38.099 because it meant 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.819 that the veil 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.579 of death 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.440 and vanity 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.259 and emptiness 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.299 that had been shrouded 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.799 over the world 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:44.019 had been torn. 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.119 And torn not just 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.519 by some spiritual idea, 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.059 right? 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.480 The resurrection 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.740 ripped the very veil 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.139 of death 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:54.039 from creation itself 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.160 when Jesus 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.259 rose from the dead. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.359 And that's why 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:00.059 Paul can say, 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.859 I've learned the secret 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.599 of being content 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.940 in every circumstance. 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:07.240 It doesn't matter 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.420 if I have a lot 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:08.980 or a little. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.500 Paul can say, 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.299 rejoice. 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.960 I'm going to say it again. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.120 Rejoice. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.900 Because in all circumstances, 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.820 Paul knows 00:29:19.820 --> 00:29:21.380 that because Jesus 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.059 has been risen, 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.400 because God is now 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.559 His Father, 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:26.259 that He is now adopted 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.559 into this family 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.200 of the King, 00:29:28.820 --> 00:29:30.240 all things are working 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.880 for His good 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.740 in Jesus Christ. 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:34.279 And if God 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.940 has given His own 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.440 Son for us, 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.880 how will we, 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.880 how will God 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:40.259 not also with Jesus 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.759 give us 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.000 all good things? 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.259 Knowing the love 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.460 of God in Christ 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:49.279 is more satisfying 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.140 than anything 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:51.380 this world could offer. 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.940 But more than that, 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.880 knowing the love 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.620 of God in Christ 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.160 means 00:29:57.160 --> 00:30:00.080 that this world 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:02.540 is God's gift 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.420 to us 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.400 to enjoy 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.360 with contentment. 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:06.779 Ecclesiastes 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.580 will say it over 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:08.300 and over again, 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:08.860 work, 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.100 eat, 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.420 drink, 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.980 and give praise 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.500 to God 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.680 for His good gifts. 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:17.480 Being reconciled 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.279 to our Creator, 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.600 now we're finally 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:21.700 in a right relationship 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.860 with the creation. 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:26.000 So you see, 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.179 friends, 00:30:26.219 --> 00:30:26.759 it's the gospel 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.740 that dries up 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.439 greed 00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:29.419 at the roots. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.599 The gospel 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.459 is the power 00:30:32.459 --> 00:30:33.219 that brings 00:30:33.219 --> 00:30:34.199 lasting contentment 00:30:34.199 --> 00:30:34.619 in God. 00:30:35.979 --> 00:30:37.079 As children of God, 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.879 we know that ultimately 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.019 all things are ours 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.599 in Christ. 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.439 All our labors 00:30:41.439 --> 00:30:42.599 are not in vain 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.839 because He's risen. 00:30:46.959 --> 00:30:48.339 So as we wrap up then, 00:30:48.399 --> 00:30:49.259 let me just ask, 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:51.359 do you know 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.220 this power? 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.680 The power 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.579 of Jesus Christ 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.759 to make you content 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.859 and joyful 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:59.259 in all circumstances. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.660 You see, 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.839 His 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:04.000 is a treasure 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.839 that never fades. 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.559 It's an inheritance 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.799 that can't be taken away. 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.539 The love of money 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.119 will always disappoint you. 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.960 The love of money 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:13.220 will corrupt our world 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.200 and corrupt your soul, 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.500 but the love of Christ 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.519 will never 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.500 let you down. 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:22.680 And for those of us 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.240 who are Christians, 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.539 are we walking, 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.619 are we living 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:29.059 in the power 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.319 of this contentment? 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.640 Do our lives 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:34.539 demonstrate this joy 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:36.259 that is the gift of God 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.019 secured for us 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.940 in Jesus Christ? 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.779 Is our life 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.559 marked 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:44.839 by the kind of simplicity 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:46.279 that that brings? 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:49.619 the kind of generosity 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.539 that comes 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.680 from knowing 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.879 the resurrected Christ 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.379 and sharing 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.519 His resurrection power. 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.859 The kind of mindset 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.700 that Paul talks about 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.599 earlier in Philippians 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.660 where we don't 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.879 consider ourselves 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.680 better than others, 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.899 but we consider others 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.660 better than ourselves 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:05.119 and we live to serve others. 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.980 All things are yours in Him. 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.559 One day you'll see Him 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.200 face to face 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:12.859 and you'll reign 00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:14.519 over a renewed creation. 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.960 And the songs of joy 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.740 will know no end. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:18.319 And that resurrection joy, 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.119 that contentment 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.319 is ours even now 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.220 and ought to be 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.700 permeating our lives. 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.779 You see, 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.980 because your future is secure, 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.480 you 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:31.220 can live in the present 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:33.180 with joy and contentment 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.980 in all God's gifts to you, 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.819 whether they're big or small. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:41.200 eat, 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:42.599 drink, 00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:44.599 and find enjoyment 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.439 in all the work 00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:46.299 God gives you to do. 00:32:46.299 --> 00:33:03.240 of greed, 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:06.759 by the resurrection power 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.740 of Jesus Christ. 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:10.039 God, and for those 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:12.220 who have not yet come 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.779 to place their trust in Christ, 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:15.879 Lord, help them to see 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.700 that the freedom 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.700 and the joy 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.720 that He offers 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:22.500 is like nothing else. 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:25.319 That free of charge, 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.539 today, 00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.839 they can be reconciled 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.539 to their Creator 00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:31.379 and enjoy His good gifts 00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:32.619 and most of all, 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:35.240 the good gift of Himself, 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.240 of you, God, 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.779 the good gift of you. 00:33:41.379 --> 00:33:42.839 Lord, grant saving faith. 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:44.500 today. 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:46.000 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:46.319 Amen.