Ecclesiastes 5:11

"When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage of their owners except to look on?"those who consume them increase" -Solomon was well aware of the complex establishment that grows with growing wealth. Typically the wealthy man is surrounded by. group of hangers-on. Wealth makes necessary not only the need for legitimate and necessary help such as personal accountants, lawyers, body guards, managers, gardeners, drivers, cooks, maids, etc…(1 Kings 4:4-22). It also attracts undesirable elements, such as fair weather friends, people trying to weasel themselves into your favor, and people constantly asking you for favors. Thus in the end increased wealth often simply brings bigger bills. Look at all the people that superstars often find themselves feeding and supporting.

"except to look on?" -"By having this abundance. gain merely this, that. have to guard more, to distribute more among others, and to have the trouble of taking care of more" (P.P. Comm. p. 115). "The fortune which it brings to him consists finally only in this, that he can look on all he has accumulated with proud self-complacency" (Keil/Del., p. 297). "only the irony of having to live on one's prestige and little else" (Kidner p. 56). This many mean: 1. In the end the wealthy man outside of Christ only gets to look at more than the poor man. 2. "Solomon argued that the only results of increased wealth for. covetous person are increased anxiety and increased vigilance, not increased enjoyment" (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 989).