Feeling Kind Of Empty?

Please open your Bibles to Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 and lets all read together:

The Emptiness of Pleasure

1 I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile.

2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?”

3 I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven' during the few days of their lives.

The Emptiness of Possessions

4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

6 I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.

7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.

8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men.

9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.

11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

What we just read in God’s Word is just a small snapshot inside King Solomon’s lifestyle and reign. As I’ve mentioned before Solomon was one of the greatest and most powerful kings that Israel ever had. Historians and bible scholars have even mentioned that Solomon was one of the greatest kings in the entire era of human history. Solomon was so wealthy that he probably rivals the Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg of today. King Solomon had everything in his possession (gold, silver, palaces, gardens, vineyards, parks, lakes, massive herds of livestock etc….). As far as people go, he had countless (servants, slaves, singers, advisors, staff, and mistresses) at his beck and call. Solomon had everything and everyone that he could ever dream of.

Now, as I preach this you're probably thinking, my Lord, that’s awesome, I wish I could have even ¼ of what Solomon possessed. That really sounds like a lifestyle that will provide me everything that I ever wanted and dreamed of including security. Maybe I can have all of that if I can someday win the Mega-Millions Lottery. Well I hate to burst your mental bubble, but all was not well in King Solomon Land. Despite possessing everything and experiencing everything, internally, Solomon felt empty and bored. As a matter of fact Solomon went out of his way to gorge and indulge himself, but the end result, still emptiness and boredom.

What about you? Are you looking for something? Do you feel like there’s some emptiness in your life? Do you think that a little luxury and material wealth will satisfy those needs? “You know if I just could only have that new 2024 sports car that just came out. That new house just built down the street, man, it’s beautiful, maybe I can remodel mine to look like that. “Wow, look at the Petersons who live across the street, they really have a huge house. Check it out they just bought both a new Mercedes and a Land-Rover. Gosh, they and their kids are always so well dressed. Oh, and the parties and BBQ’s they're always having right beside their massive backyard pool. I am so envious, it’s not fair, I own nothing like what they have. The Petersons have everything and they look so content and happy?” Okay, let me ask you this question, Are they? How do you know, I mean really know? Yes it looks like the Peterson’s are living the good life on the outside but what about internally? How do they feel? Do they feel empty? Are they really dissatisfied with their lives? Who really knows.

Let’s look back again at Solomon’s example, He literally possessed everything and he still wasn’t happy. And again Solomon said it was all meaningless and just dust in the wind. Okay, now back to the Petersons. You think they really have everything? Maybe, they do but it came at a huge cost. Maybe they're in so much debt that they’re sinking like a massive rock. Maybe they're on the verge of bankruptcy? Mr. Peterson, he just financed $150,000 for those two new luxury vehicles in his garage but wait he doesn’t know yet but he’s going to be sacked from his job next week because his company just got bought out. Their massive home, they don’t know it yet but it's going to be a total loss from the fire that happens next month while they’re all at the lake? I think you see where I’m going here. Unexpected negative life events can turn your life completely upside down.