There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Ver. 13. There is a sore evil.] Or, An evil disease, a such as breaks the sleep, hinc pallor et genae pendulae, item furiales somni et inquies nocturna, b causing paleness, leanness, restlessness by night. This disease is the dropsy or bulimy of covetousness, as seldom cured as heresy, frenzy, jealousy, which three are held incurable maladies.
Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.] Worldlings sit abrood upon their wealth, and hatch to their hurt, as the silly bird doth the eggs of the cockatrice. Riches are called "goods," but it hath been well observed that he that first called them so was a better husband [husbandman] than divine. Such a husband was he in the gospel, who reckoned upon "much goods laid up for many years." But how come these "goods" to prove evil to the owners but by the evil usage of them? Riches in themselves are of an indifferent nature, and it is through men's corruption, ut magna sit cognatio et nominis et rei divitiis et vitiis, that riches are weapons of wickedness - engines of evil. "He that getteth riches, and not by right, shall die a poor fool." Jer 17:11
“ Dum peritura parat, per male parts perit. ”
He that keepeth his riches - having no quick silver, no current money - when God calls him to part with them for pious and charitable uses, keepeth them to his own greatest hurt. For the rust of his canker eaten gold shall rise up in judgment against him at that great day. Jam 5:3
“ Sic plates nimia congesta pecunia cura
Strangulat ” - Juvenal, sat. 10.
See Trapp on " Pro 1:19 "
a Mala infirmitas. - Pagn.
b Plin.