I have a problem.  My wife requires that I spend a fortune to keep her lavishly supplied with loads of karats.  But not the kind that go on your hand, but in your mouth.  It may actually be spelled c-a-r-r-o-t-s. 

Our neighbor has a pasture which is adjacent to our back yard.  In it are four magnificent horses. 

My wife is ecstatically happy about this and so are they.    Whenever she is in the yard, they run to her knowing that she will reach over the fence and ply them with fresh carrots.  She also loves to share this joy with our grandkids.

To her, those carrots of orange are far more valuable than those of gold.

A reminder that riches are not the richest!

This is how great King Solomon put it, “The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money; he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income.” –  Ecclesiastes 5:10.   Wealth may bring a life of luxury, a hedge against inflation, and maybe even a false sense of security.  It does not however, bring satisfaction. 

Solomon recorded his thoughts using the Hebrew word for “satisfied” which is, “sabea.”  It was usually used to describe the feeling of being stuffed after a great meal.  (Proverbs 13:25)  

To apply that to wealth suggests that having riches still leaves us way less than full.  It is to dine and yet be left with gnawing hunger pains.

Solomon added this, “When someone’s prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase.”  –  5:11. In other words, the more you have, the more the parasites multiply who want to take it.  It’s tough to enjoy wealth when the world is trying to rip it away.

Solomon shares a better way.  He said, “Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.  Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head.  Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.”  – Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

He tells us we can have a happy heart!  We do this by enjoying the simple things that we already have – the food and drink before us and the work we have accomplished.  He tells us to put on our celebratory party clothes and anoint ourselves with fragrant oil.  We are also to enjoy the spouse He has given us.  He says this is our reward – to enjoy these simple but rich blessings.  

Solomon also authored the book of Proverbs where he wrote, “There is one who pretends to be rich and yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor and yet possesses great wealth.”  – Proverbs 13:7. The guy with a bulging bank account thinks he is rich, but he is not and yet it is possible for one to be rich without being financially endowed. 

Such contentment is sourced in knowing the Lord.  When He is ours, there is nothing for us to prove, no one to impress, no barrier to overcome.  We rest in Him, and this makes it possible for us to relax and then recognize and enjoy His many blessings.   

My wife gets immense joy from feeding her pasture pals.   Others are blessed when they prune their lush rose bushes.  Many find deep satisfaction in seeing their grown children do well.  Some of us enjoy creation by RV.

I remember a time when I got to do a singing presentation with my wife, my daughter and two grandsons.   Singing for Jesus with my family.  I thought I was going to explode with joy!

So, forget the gold. Trade it for what is truly golden and savor those blessings all the fleeting days of your life! 

A PRAYER: God help me survey my life and find the joy that is hidden in it.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®