Money Wise Pastor

Career, life, and money wisdom from a pastor's perspective

The Bible and Money: Ecclesiastes 10:19 – Money is the Answer

| By Rich | |

This week’s Bible and Money focus is on Ecclesiastes 10:19.  When I was a kid, I learned that “Jesus is the Answer.”  And it didn’t really matter at all what the question was! 🙂 However, Ecclesiastes 10:19 says something different:  Money is the answer!

“A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.” – Ecclesiastes 10:19 (NIV)

Understanding Ecclesiastes 10:19 – Money is the Answer for Everything

I had a hard time getting my mind wrapped around this verse so I read it in several different translations.  I really like how The Message renders it:

“Laughter and bread go together, and wine gives sparkle to life – But it’s money that makes the world go round.” – Ecclesiastes 10:19 (MSG)

I think this verse is saying that there’s a time to play, hang out with our family and friends, and enjoy the finer things in life, and there’s a time to work and earn money.

Some people are great at working hard to make money to reach a future goal, but they don’t take the time to enjoy the journey and sometimes they end up missing out on some of the important things in life, like spending time with their family.

Others are great at playing but aren’t diligent in building their wealth. They spend it just as soon as they make it. Or, worse – they spend more than they make in order to “Give the kids a nice Christmas” or take a big vacation every year during Spring Break. They have fun now but end up paying for it later, which means they’re always living in the present or even the past and not focusing on their future.

Wise people know when to work and when to play.  They know they can’t spend all they make but must save and invest for the future.

I think this scripture is a good one for me to give to my kids to memorize, to remind them of the importance of working, producing, and creating a surplus so we can enjoy life now and long into the future.

That’s my take on Ecclesiastes 10:19.  What do you think about “money is the answer for everything?”

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About the author

Rich Rich writes on money and personal growth from a pastor's perspective here at Money Wise Pastor. He loves In-N-Out Burger (and has the t-shirts to prove it), big cities, international travel, running marathons, and helping others create more freedom, purpose, and fulfillment in their life and work. Find him on Twitter and Facebook.