I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house.
I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.
I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
There’s a much-quoted passage of Scripture, written by Solomon, that we would be wise to read slowly. It is one that still speaks to us today—maybe even louder than when it was written thousands of years ago.
Solomon had everything a person could want: wealth, comfort, success, pleasure, accomplishment. And yet, at the end of it all, he looked back and called it all meaningless. A chasing after the wind.
He had everything the world told him would bring fulfillment and happiness… and yet, he still felt empty.
This is, no doubt, a life and spiritual lesson that is hard to learn by reading someone’s experience. Money and possessions can’t buy happiness, but we still so often try anyway.
But we must learn from Solomon’s example as best we can.
As a matter of fact, if you’ve ever chased after something—possessions, recognition, comfort, control—only to find it didn’t satisfy you fully, then you know exactly what Solomon meant—even if on a smaller scale. The truth is, the pursuit of this world always promises more than it can deliver.
But thankfully, Solomon doesn’t conclude at a dead end. Toward the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reaches a conclusion:
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Meaning is not found in what we achieve, but in Who we live for.
Solomon’s writing reminds us that joy and fulfillment are not discovered by adding more of the world to our lives, but by surrendering more of our lives to God.
So today, let’s loosen our grip on the things that fade and hold tight to the One who never will. Because everything under the sun fades—but everything done for the Kingdom of God lasts forever.
Prayer
Father, remind me today that everything this world offers is temporary, but You are eternal. Help me find my meaning, my peace, and my joy in You alone. Amen.