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PGA Chaplain Bible StudiesWeekly Study No 16 - 07/07/2009 Ecclesiastes Ch 5:8-12 “If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the King himself profits from the fields. Whoever loves money never has enough money; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them.” (Ecclesiastes Chapter 5: verses 8 to 12 NIV). 150 million dollars?I was staggered to find that Australians spent 150 million dollars in one lotto draw recently. We have also seen the huge lines outside the newsagents as Aussies spend money in the bucket loads trying to win the big one. Why this obsession? Do we really think that having lots of money can increase quality of life? Obviously many think so. The desire for money can be addictive and the itch for me doesn’t go away easily. Our reading this week hints at the fact that desiring money to make you happy creates a restlessness that is never satisfied. It’s not uncommon for the rich to go bankrupt because they owe so much money. I was amazed to hear on TV (though I don’t believe everything I hear to be true) that out of Michael Jackson’s Estate there should just have enough funds to pay his debts. On the other hand the man with little money will tend to sleep a little easier. We know there are exceptions to this observation, but we get the point. Our hearts have a certain restlessness that is not easy to satisfy with money or anything else. We also can look to a partner, a family, a successful job, a fit and healthy body, or be a great golfer to try to satisfy that longing to be at rest with our lot in life. But there always seems to be someone else doing better. My own experience and that of many others is that you can find true and lasting peace with Jesus Christ. What makes Jesus different and unique to everything else if that he has conquered life, he has lived the life we were meant to live; he has died the death we deserve, but he has also broken free from the grave and lives forever. It is not a sentimental need to find rest in Jesus that makes him special, it is rather that he lives and can deliver on his promise in this world and beyond the grave. He is truly the King of Kings and has no match. Jesus said these words: Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”Matthew Chapter 11 verses 28 to 30 (NIV) This doesn’t mean that our life does not lack periods of unrest, but it does mean like the poor man in our reading you can sleep at night because you know that you cannot lose the rest that is a gift of Jesus. The same cannot be said for money or for that matter anything else. Gracious God, Help me to see the foolishness of chasing after money and to see Jesus as the source of true rest. Amen
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