Wisdom Of The Teacher For College Students, Ch. 5.Sample

We return to the theme of the futility of wealth in these verses. The desire to have more is still overwhelming to many. It has been said of some of the richest people in America that they always were chasing one more dollar than they had, no matter how many millions of them they already possessed. 

That seems to have been true in the days of the Teacher as well. To those entangled with the love of money, satisfaction is a state to which they never arrive. It is a destination always one more transaction, one more deal, one more acquisition away. 

The Teacher points out that those who have much often are less content than those who have little. Sleep seems to elude them. Rest is an unknown friend to those driven to obtain more wealth. The work of those who are obsessed with money becomes an all-encompassing lifestyle. 

We really need to heed the advice that we came into the world with nothing and we can take nothing with us when we go out of it. If the drive of our life is to gain more material possessions, the Teacher says we shall live all of them in darkness and vexation. That sounds like a pleasant place doesn’t it?