The Sore Evil: When Wealth is Laid Up for Someone’s Hurt
The Sore Evil: When Wealth is Laid Up for Someone’s Hurt
The book of Ecclesiastes offers profound insights into the injustices of the world. One such observation is found in Ecclesiastes 5:13 (KJV): "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt." This verse captures the essence of a peculiar kind of suffering—one that is not due to lack, but rather due to the misuse of wealth and power, where resources are directed toward harming rather than helping.
The Greater Suffering: Worse Than Poverty
While poverty is a tangible hardship, it often fosters humility, reliance on God, and community support. However, a more insidious evil arises when wealth is used as a tool for oppression rather than aid. Imagine a situation where financial resources exist to alleviate suffering, yet instead, they are used to perpetuate psychological and physical harm.
Consider cases where individuals seek assistance due to financial distress, only to be redirected toward bureaucratic structures that do nothing to relieve their economic hardship. In some cases, those in power may use funds not to provide direct aid but to enroll individuals in systems that further entrap them—whether through unnecessary psychiatric intervention, legal entanglements, or sustained social marginalization. This is a manifestation of riches being laid up for someone’s hurt.
Ecclesiastes 4:1 (KJV) further expounds on this principle: "So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." The absence of relief, coupled with the active exertion of oppressive power, creates a condition worse than mere poverty—one of prolonged, deliberate affliction.
The Apparent Persecution: Analyzing the Situation Logically
Throughout history, governments and institutions have utilized various methods to control dissent and maintain social conformity. Some individuals claim to be targeted by elaborate programs designed to destroy their lives systematically. They report experiences of gangstalking, financial sabotage, constant surveillance, and social isolation. While some may dismiss such claims as paranoia, there are logical explanations for how such systems could exist, function, and impact individuals in profound ways.
1. Bureaucratic Control Over Aid Many societies claim to have safety nets for those in need. However, these systems often serve as gatekeepers rather than providers, ensuring that only those who comply with specific narratives receive assistance. Those who resist institutional control might find themselves excluded, labeled as problems rather than individuals in need of help. This exclusion is not accidental—it is a feature of a system that preserves wealth and power for a select few while discouraging independence.
2. Financial Warfare and Marginalization Modern persecution does not always come in the form of overt violence. Instead, it may appear as financial strangulation. By making it difficult for certain individuals to access employment, legal assistance, or even bank accounts, institutions can render them economically powerless. This creates an environment where one is not simply poor but systematically deprived—unable to escape the conditions imposed upon them.
3. Psychological Manipulation and Social Engineering The use of psychiatric intervention as a tool of control is well-documented. If a person expresses grievances about being unjustly targeted, they may be diagnosed rather than heard. Once a label is applied, it becomes nearly impossible to challenge, and the individual is then forced into a system that dictates their reality. This tactic is especially effective because it allows oppressive systems to discredit victims without ever addressing their claims.
4. The Incentives Behind Targeting It is essential to consider why such systems might exist. Many institutions thrive on dependency. If individuals remain independent, they do not need psychiatric care, welfare programs, or state oversight. However, if a person is caught within the system, they become a lifelong subject—one who justifies budgets, social programs, and employment for countless bureaucrats and professionals. In this sense, the economy of suffering is profitable for those who benefit from managing and perpetuating it.
Biblical Perspective: The Cost of Speaking Truth
The Bible repeatedly warns that those who stand against corruption and wickedness will face persecution. John 15:19-20 (KJV) states: "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you."
For those who find themselves in situations where they are marginalized, sabotaged, or falsely accused, it is important to recognize that such trials are not new. Those who expose evil and refuse to conform to unjust systems have always been met with opposition.
Conclusion: Recognizing the Sore Evil
The true evil is not merely in the hoarding of wealth, but in its strategic use for destruction. Wealth that could be used to relieve suffering is instead deployed to inflict harm, sustain oppression, and control dissent. This is a sore evil under the sun, and its effects are worse than poverty—because it represents not only deprivation but also the deliberate effort to break a person entirely.
While there may be logical explanations for the structures that create these conditions, the ultimate reality is spiritual. The world is governed by systems that oppose truth and righteousness, and those who resist such systems should not be surprised when they find themselves under attack.
For those who suffer under these conditions, the biblical promise remains firm: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10, KJV)