Previously I wrote about how man cannot be truly satisfied by money, but that true satisfaction and contentment only come through obedience to the Lord. I want to further expand on the concept that true satisfaction in life comes through the Lord. True contentment cannot be found in any earthly thing from earthly riches to earthly wisdom. The book of Ecclesiastes is a very revealing book of the Bible, especially when dealing with the focus of man’s life. Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived on earth except for Jesus. (2nd Chronicles 1:11-12)
In Ecclesiastes Solomon wrote of how he tried to find pleasure in many different things including women and riches. In 1st Kings 11:3 the Bible states, “He had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.” Solomon built houses and gardens and planted vineyards. (Ecclesiastes 2:4-5) He had many slaves, herds, and flocks. (Ecclesiastes 2:7) Solomon had silver and gold. (Ecclesiastes 2:8) Solomon had many more things than I have not even mentioned in this article.
Solomon invested his time into many different things that the world cherishes as important in life. Amazingly, King Solomon, who had every resource he needed to experience life and its intricacies, ultimately said that these things were empty. In Ecclesiastes 2:11 Solomon wrote, “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” This theme is repeated over and over again throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. All these worldly things are vain, empty, worthless, and meaningless when God is not in the picture.
In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Solomon sums up where man’s priorities should lie: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”