The Parable of the Empty Treasure Chest – Ecclesiastes 5
The Treasure Chest That Couldn’t Satisfy
Imagine a man who discovers an old treasure chest buried in a field. Excited, he digs it up and opens it, expecting to find gold and jewels. To his dismay, it’s empty. Still, he convinces himself that filling this chest with riches will make him happy. Year after year, he adds coins and trinkets, but the chest always feels lacking. The more he fills it, the heavier his burden becomes. One day, exhausted and disillusioned, he finally realizes that the problem wasn’t the treasure chest—it was the misplaced hope he placed in it.
This parable captures the message of Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 and 5:8–6:9. Religion without reverence and wealth without wisdom are empty pursuits that leave us burdened rather than fulfilled.
Religion Without Reverence
In Ecclesiastes 5:1–7, the Teacher warns against shallow, insincere religion. Thoughtless rituals and glib promises reveal a lack of understanding about God’s holiness. When we treat worship casually or make vows we cannot keep, we cheapen the very relationship that could rescue us from futility.
Glib God-Talk:
Religious words spoken without thought dishonor God. The Teacher reminds us to be measured in our words, for “God is in heaven, and you are on earth” (5:2). The Lord’s Prayer is an example of reverent and purposeful prayer, getting straight to the heart of our dependence on God (Matthew 6:9–13).Divine Discipline:
Making empty promises or trifling with God brings unnecessary consequences. A humble, sincere approach to worship is far more pleasing to Him than flashy words or actions without substance.
The Empty Promises of Wealth
In Ecclesiastes 5:8–6:9, the Teacher shifts focus to the futility of wealth. Money, like the treasure chest, promises much but delivers little. It cannot rescue us from life’s struggles; instead, it often magnifies them.
Corruption and Greed:
The privileged structure systems to their own advantage (5:8–9). Chasing wealth often fuels inequity and injustice, leaving others oppressed and ourselves enslaved to greed.The Disillusionment of Riches:
Wealth fails to satisfy. It brings worries about theft, taxes, and loss (5:10–12). Even when wealth is abundant, it cannot guarantee enjoyment (6:1–6). A life centered on possessions often becomes a life unlived.The Trap of Wandering Desires:
Our restless hearts continually seek the next prize, only to find it falls short of our expectations (6:7–9). Ownership does not fulfill the soul’s deeper longing for meaning and contentment.
A Better Way: Simplicity and Gratitude
The Teacher offers a simple but profound alternative: live simply, accept life as it comes, and enjoy each day as a gift from God (5:18–20). True contentment is found not in what we own or achieve, but in recognizing God’s kindness and finding joy in His daily provision.
Reflection Questions
Are your religious practices heartfelt and reverent, or have they become routine and thoughtless?
How do you guard your heart against the empty promises of wealth?
What steps can you take to live more simply and enjoy the daily blessings God provides?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for reminding us of the futility of empty religion and misplaced trust in wealth. May we approach You with reverence and sincerity, mindful of Your holiness. We choose to find contentment not in possessions but in Your gracious provision. May we live each day as a joyful response to Your kindness, bringing glory to Your name. Amen.
Closing Thought
Like the treasure chest, both religion and wealth can seem promising but leave us empty when approached without wisdom. True fulfillment comes when we worship God with reverence and live each day with gratitude for His gifts. Let us seek Him above all else, for in Him alone is life’s true treasure.
This post is inspired by Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 and 5:8–6:9, with assistance from the Grace and Truth Study Bible, encouraging us to pursue reverence in worship and simplicity in living.