The Money Mirage - Ecclesiastes 5

The Money Mirage

Ecclesiastes 5

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • March 1, 2026

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1. THE ROOT PROBLEM: MISORDERED WORSHIP

“Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus 3:5 (CSB)

2. MONEY MYTHS

a. MORE MONEY WILL SATISFY ME

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10 (CSB)

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24 (CSB)

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:15 (CSB)

REALITY CHECK: Money will never satisfy my deepest needs.

b. MORE MONEY WILL SOLVE MY PROBLEMS

The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

Proverbs 14:20 (NASB95)

REALITY CHECK: Money usually complicates matters.

c. MORE MONEY WILL GIVE ME PEACE OF MIND

“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:25 (CSB)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33–34 (CSB)

REALITY CHECK: More money means more to worry about.

d. MORE MONEY WILL SECURE ME

And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

Luke 12:19–20 (NLT)

REALITY CHECK: My only real security is God.

3. THE TURN: MONEY IS A GIFT, NOT GOD

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

1 Timothy 6:17 (CSB)