The Dark Side of Money
Ecclesiastes 5:10-15
Buel Baptist ChurchIntroduction: Back in1923 at the Edgewater Beach Hotel there were gathered 9 of the richest men in the world. They had it all; money, power, and fame. But just 25 years later in 1948 all but 2 of them were dead, none of them had the easy life that money seems to promise. Charles Schwab President of the largest US steel company lived on borrowed money the last 5 years of his life and died broke. Samuel Insul, and Arthur Cotton also died broke. Howard Hopson went insane,
Jesse Livermore, Ivan Kruger, and Leon Frager all committed suicide. Albert Fall was paroled so he could die at home and lastly Richard Whitney got out of Sing Sing Prison.
My Point: Money is the most alluring, captivating, and dangerous thing you can fall in Love with. The Love of Money is like a Magnet that draws people with its Power, Position and Prestige. But like a tempting Mistress it drives people to do almost anything to get more of it. John D. Rockefeller was asked: How much money is enough? He said “ Just 1 dollar more.” Now Money in of it’s self is morally neutral. Money can buy nice things; pay for education, build homes, hospitals and churches.
Money can either bring us closer to God or pull us apart.
It is the #1 marriage problem.
In our text today we will see what money can and can’t do.
1. Money can buy temporal but not permanent Satisfaction. Vs 10
a. About 6 years ago I left a good job for a better job. It was more money, more responsibility and closer to home. Over the next year and ½ I found out that it did not pay enough for me to continue to work there.
b. Chasing money is like drinking Saltwater; the more you drink the more you want. Making Money can be addictive as taking drugs.
2. Money can solve most of your Problems; But not all of them. Vs 5:11
a. Money makes life easier, but Money cannot buy: Love, Contentment, Health, Home, Friends, Happiness, Sleep, Character or Eternal Life. W.C. Fields said “ A Rich man in nothing but a poor man with money.”
Money has never made anybody Rich.
3. Money can buy Peace, But Not Peace of Mind Vs 5:12
a. J. D. Rockefeller at age 53 was the Worlds Only Billionaire earning nearly 1 million per a week. But He could not eat a normal meal nor could he sleep. He only got better when He started to give it away.
b. John Jacob Astor who left His Estate with 5 million dollars said just before his death “ I am the Most Miserable Man on Earth.” Howard Hughes became a recluse because he feared people were after His Money.
4. Money Provides some Security, but not Eternal Security Vs 5:13-15
As Americans and really the rest of the World Longs for Security. And why not it is a basic psychological need. So if we calmer after money to spend it on temporal earthy security we run the risk of not thinking about the eternal i.e. the life on the other side.
a. A Dr. Studied 4000 Executives over 4 ½ years. He found 6-10 felt that their life was empty and had no personal satisfaction.
b. We came in to this world naked and naked shall we depart it. Someone else will get all your stuff and Money and spend it as they wish. Like the old preachers say: “You never see a U-Haul being pulled behind the Hearse.” Money is like fools gold you think you got something when you really don’t.
c. Money can give you lots of things except Eternal Life. That my friend’s is a Free Gift from the Father bought by the Blood of the Son. It is not for sale at any price.
A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing that will bring you true, complete, and total; peace, security and satisfaction.
Application:
1. Keep Money under control. i.e. spending, credit cards ect .
2. Put Christ in charge of your finances.
3. Put Family first.
4. Control Money or it will control you!