Joel M Bradshaw

10He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.–Ecclesiastes 5

1. If money is your thing, you can never have enough of it. The moment you think you do, you still want more. For money is your thing. Collectors and accumulators do this. I used to collect books by certain authors. The moment I finished a collection I thought I felt satisfied, but then I wanted to complete another. And frankly when my we had to make room for our baby son, my huge book collections didn’t matter anymore.
2. The laborer works his tail off all day and falls asleep tired. The other man goes to bed with concerns and stresses that keep him tossing and turning. So what if the laborer had a small meal and his boss had a feast? I recall two of my college jobs. One was a business manager for the school paper. I had accounts to manage and editors to keep happy. I went to bed each night with internal questions and stress. Never mind all my classes and homework! I wasn’t good at that job and was let go. I immediately transitioned to a dishwashing job in the cafeteria. I clocked in, did dishes, clocked out, and went to sleep those nights exhausted. The dishwasher job was less prestigious, but I slept so much better.

Just some thoughts and memories this morning. Take stock of your own heart and your pursuits in life. What would others say they communicate about you?–JMB