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.
Life can be cruel and unpredictable? Yes, you could be happy for a little while with that new sports car that you just bought or with your new luxury cabin that you just had custom built in the mountains. So, okay, what if your new sports car gets stolen and your new cabin gets crushed in an avalanche. Worst case, what if you become the victim of identity fraud and the hackers drain your bank accounts dry? Are you still going to be happy, then? You can have everything one minute and then nothing.
Maybe you do possess everything that you want or desire. But, let me ask you this: Are you really happy and satisfied internally? Do your material things bring you eternal pleasure? Does your lifestyle give you eternal excitement? Or are you like King Solomon and you're asking yourself, “I have everything that I want but why do I still feel empty and dissatisfied? If you are seriously thinking that your material things, money, and your luxurious lifestyle will give you a lifetime of security and happy pleasure, guess again. They will never bring you those things. Because everything that you own is expendable and expirable. Everything that you own can get stolen, ruined, destroyed or repossessed. And when you die you can’t take your money, material things, or your mansions with you. The only thing that can fit inside your coffin or urn is your physical body.
So then, are you tired of feeling empty inside? Do you really want your life to have direction, real meaning and a true purpose? Are you looking for eternal joy and everlasting security? Then look to God. The Bible says in Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. God, Himself, is everything that you need and He will satisfy your every need? And, you can experience eternal joy, peace, love, and security if you give your life over to God. You can also have eternal life if you turn your face towards heaven and accept Jesus into your heart. Material things and physical lifestyles are finite, but a spiritual life and fellowship with God is infinite. It’s ultimately your choice. Live a short life of ceaseless physical pleasure on earth now or choose eternal life living in heaven with our Heavenly Father forever. My hope and prayer for you right now if you've never done so is to choose the Heavenly Father and eternal life. AMEN
