HCBC Sunday School -- August 4, 2013 "Friends" Class
Unit 2 -- Is It Worth the Effort? (Eccl. 1:1 -- 12:14)
Am I Headed for Failure? (Ecclesiastes 5:8 -- 6:12)
What's wrong with wanting to get as much stuff in life as possible?
• Look at God's wisdom about the pursuit of wealth.

1) Headed Toward Dishonesty (5:8-9)
a. (Pray for political leaders) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ~ I Timothy 1-2
b. Elect men/women of moral integrity.
c. Keep the Constitution.
2) Headed Toward Loneliness (5:10-16)
a. Dangers of making the pursuit of money the primary goal of life*:
i. We can never get "enough".
ii. Dealing with demands of others who want to "share" in the riches.
iii. Wealth can't buy peace of mind. (sleep, health)
iv. Wealth can disappear in a moment. Can't be taken beyond the grave.
3) Headed Toward Joy? (5:18-20)
a. God helps us focus on the joys of our earthly lives.
4) Headed Toward Frustration? (6:10-12)
a. Without God, yes.
b. (With God) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ~ John 10:10
c. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. ~ Luke 12:15
(*)
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. ~ I Cor. 6:20

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. ~ Rev. 4:11