Coming in at approximately US$435 billion by today's standards, the wealth of John D. Rockefeller pales in comparison to the riches accumulated by Solomon. Estimated at having a net worth of over US$2 trillion, Solomon is regarded as one of the richest men in history. But after making it to the top, Solomon discovered that only grief is obtained by the pursuit of mammon. So much did Solomon learn to despise the chasing of riches and worldly renown, that he made it the primary object of criticism in his book, Ecclesiastes.
The unsatisfying nature of this sore travail was leaked by John Rockefeller himself. At a time when he was considered the richest man alive, Rockefeller was asked: ‘How much money is enough?’.
His response was: ‘Just a little bit more’. Rockefeller’s candid confession highlights the truth of Solomon’s proverb:
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10
According to Solomon, men like Rockefeller – who enrich themselves through exploitation – receive no satisfaction. In reality, it is the man who labours in the sweat of his brow that is rewarded the most. Said the wise man:
The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:12
Having not exhausted their bodies through honest labour, the mega rich do not appreciate the sumptuous feasts set before them each evening. Untried by labour, their sleep is light and easily troubled. Kept awake by thoughts of gain and fears of loss, the morning light is to them a bitter sight.
Yet such is not the case for the labouring man. Although he may not always eat to the full, the scanty fare he takes after a day’s work is delightfully savoured. And in stretching out his tired body upon his bed, he experiences a release unknown by those who exercise no exertion. Indeed, while an honest labouring man may have earned little throughout the day, his labour is richly repaid by a good night’s rest. Even the servant who heartily serves his master ‘as to the Lord’ is rewarded by God who ‘giveth his beloved sleep’ (Psalm 127:2).
It was for man’s sake that God cursed the ground. After the fall, God proclaimed to Adam:
Thorns also and thistles shall [the earth] bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. Genesis 3:18
No matter what thorns and thistles we handle in our daily lives, we must remember that God has appointed toil and hardship as a remedy for sinful humanity. Declared God to Adam:
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19
Honest labour keeps us from the evils attending idleness, and the hardships of labouring in a sinful world demands that we call upon God for aid. Thus, the curse that God placed upon the ground is in effect, a blessing to man. Yet to a great degree, the rich are relieved of this curse. Having no need to work up a sweat, their riches deprive them of the remedy appointed for mankind. Those whose riches are a snare unto them would do well to follow the counsel that Jesus gave to the rich young ruler:
…sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 18:22
Christopher Sparks