Ecclesiastes 5: 8-20….Count your blesings!

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. Comment: I’m not sure what this is all about! Maybe thinking in modern business terms – the primary producer gets ‘ripped off’ by the factories who sell, making their profit, to the supermarket who add a large profit. Then they also get their huge profit. Sending some dividends to share holders (who have done nothing in the production line). Then everyone has to pay taxes (the king in the above story).
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 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. Comment: I think that if you get rich, others will benefit by it, and the only real worth to you is seeing people enjoy themselves at your expense!
There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. Comment: Losing your fortune means having nothing to hand on to your family! As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. Comment: You come into the world naked and you take nothing money wise with you! Nothing is not true for according to the Bible we do get credit for the way we live (noting that you have to have your name on God’s book of the saved for this to apply!
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Comment: Live a balanced life, mixing work, enjoyment, eat sensibly and give God the thanks which are due to Him!

Prayer: This sounds good advice Father. I know that starting on this there is still much to learn. Please help me to listen and learn well!