As From Their Mother’s Womb So Shall They Go

This meditation is based on a passage for June 5, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Reflection and Question: One of the common points made by GLBT Christians about Scripture is that the disparity between rich and poor is far more important to God and Jesus than anything else. This passage is part of that case. It is widely held in our culture that “the one with the most toys wins,” or that money equals happiness. The teacher writing Ecclesiastes could not disagree more. He comments on the rich, saying that “all their days they eat in darkness, in much vexation and sickness and resentment.” To find enjoyment in our toil — that is the gift of God. What is the joy of your heart?

Prayer: Great God, we know what is true for us all: we can take nothing from our toil in this life with our hands, but we may with our hearts because our joy follows us. Since the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep, give us joy in our toil today. Amen.