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본문의 중심내용

전도자는 이 세상에서 일어나는 학대와 불의를 고발합니다. 이어 재물의 무익함과 헛됨을 경고한 후, 재물에 대한 올바른 자세를 교훈합니다. 

[ 전도서 5:8 - 5:20 ] (찬송429장)

권력의 헛됨 

8너는 어느 지방에서든지 빈민을 학대하는 것과 정의와 공의를 짓밟는 것을 볼지라도 그것을 이상히 여기지 말라 높은 자는 더 높은 자가 감찰하고 또 그들보다 더 높은 자들도 있음이니라 9땅의 소산물은 모든 사람을 위하여 있나니 왕도 밭의 소산을 받느니라

 재물에 따르는 위험 

 10은을 사랑하는 자는 은으로 만족하지 못하고 풍요를 사랑하는 자는 소득으로 만족하지 아니하나니 이것도 헛되도다 11재산이 많아지면 먹는 자들도 많아지나니 그 소유주들은 눈으로 보는 것 외에 무엇이 유익하랴 12노동자는 먹는 것이 많든지 적든지 잠을 달게 자거니와 부자는 그 부요함 때문에 자지 못하느니라 13내가 해 아래에서 큰 폐단 되는 일이 있는 것을 보았나니 곧 소유주가 재물을 자기에게 해가 되도록 소유하는 것이라 14그 재물이 재난을 당할 때 없어지나니 비록 아들은 낳았으나 그 손에 아무것도 없느니라 15그가 모태에서 벌거벗고 나왔은즉 그가 나온 대로 돌아가고 수고하여 얻은 것을 아무것도 자기 손에 가지고 가지 못하리니 16이것도 큰 불행이라 어떻게 왔든지 그대로 가리니 바람을 잡는 수고가 그에게 무엇이 유익하랴 17일평생을 어두운 데에서 먹으며 많은 근심과 질병과 분노가 그에게 있느니라

 재물에 따르는 기쁨 

 18사람이 하나님께서 그에게 주신 바 그 일평생에 먹고 마시며 해 아래에서 하는 모든 수고 중에서 낙을 보는 것이 선하고 아름다움을 내가 보았나니 그것이 그의 몫이로다 19또한 어떤 사람에게든지 하나님이 재물과 부요를 그에게 주사 능히 누리게 하시며 제 몫을 받아 수고함으로 즐거워하게 하신 것은 하나님의 선물이라 20그는 자기의 생명의 날을 깊이 생각하지 아니하리니 이는 하나님이 그의 마음에 기뻐하는 것으로 응답하심이니라

[ Ecclesiastes 5:8 - 5:20 ]

8If 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.9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?12 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.13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.15 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.16 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?17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.18 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.19 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.20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. 

Who is God like?

Thinking & Understanding

The preacher declared that wealth was not beneficial. He explained that people who loved money could not be satisfied. He said that poor workers could sleep peacefully but the rich were too anxious to sleep. He also argued that there were many who lost their wealth in an instant due to a sudden disaster and died empty-handed (vv. 8-16). The preacher warned that we shouldn’t become slaves to our possessions but live enjoying the portion that God has bestowed on us in this short life (vv. 18-20). 

Who is God?

Vv. 18-20 God desires us, his children, to live happily, so he gives us everything we need to get by. A gift is given freely. Therefore, let’s not complain about the size of the gifts we receive. What kind of gifts have you received? Are you enjoying even the smallest gifts with gratitude? 

What lesson is God teaching me?

Vv. 10-15 When we love money, we become slaves to money. We won’t be able to feel satisfaction or peace, only tiredness, anxiety and disappointment. Let’s not live for money but use our money for the sake of our neighbours. 

Prayer

Lord, help me not to become a slave to wealth but to enjoy and share the wealth you have bestowed on me with a thankful heart.