Fleeting Wealth and Fame: What we can learn from King Solomon about money, acclaim, and stewardship.

In this episode we will look at money, tithing, stewardship, fame and personal value.

I’ve been reading through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes this past month which prompted me to do this episode- In Ecclesiastes  the main point Solomon is making is be wise in all areas of your life- seek wisdom from the Lord, in money matters, acclaim, relationships, worship. And wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, and respect of the Word of God. 
 Let’s look at money-  so much of this vanity issue is tied up with our money and our stewardship of it.

 Average family in the USA lives on 76,000 per year. Many make 45,000 The poverty level for a 4 person family in the USA is 25,000 

For comparison, the average family in India earns $2,300 ( exchange rate in US dollars) Afghanistan 360 per year, Philippines 3900. Pakistan 1500, Nigeria 2000 Mexico 10,000 -our ministry works with orphanages and ministries in these places and we know what they struggle with to put food on the table

American couples making 100,000  say they can no longer live on that amount

all that matters is our family, our friends, the lives we touch and hopefully make better, and our faith in Christ that brings us eternal life and peace. 

Solomon wasted so much of his wealth on earthly pursuits, madness and folly, at the end of his life he repented and acknowledged everything was vanity except to worship and follow the Lord. Read Eccl. ch. 12

Jean Paul Getty died in 1976 wealthiest man in the world then- he divorced 5 times and had 4 other women - he said at the end of his life, “I would have given all my money away for one good marriage and peace of mind.”
 This from a 20th century Solomon who had everything, but missed the best things-

Benjamin Franklin said: “discontentment makes rich men poor, while contentment makes poor men rich.”

  Solomon told his son’s -Proverbs 23: 4-5
Do not overwork to be rich;
 Because of your own understanding, cease!
 Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
 For riches certainly make themselves wings;
 They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

 we need to ask ourselves: Am I trying to please people or please God?

 In this day of  social media cult of comparison you better have some restraint and turn to Jesus with a heart of gratefulness because comparison is the thief of joy.

 1 Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 what is a tithe? means a 10th, isn’t that an OT law, not for NT believers?

The quick answer is the tithe was given as an example of dedication to the Lord long before Israel was a nation. Abraham in Gen 14 gave a tithe

 it is a Biblical principle- see it in light of 2 Corinthians 9:7 that says: Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
we are to give from our increase and the amount is not the issue-the attitude of our heart is

  Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

All music content written and performed by Darryl Riden, Taylor Riden, Caiti Riden (c) 2024

Contact info: cpmlife.org Christ Powered Ministries