February 7 2018 – Click here to listen
What do you suppose people want most in life?
Money and all the wonderful material things it can buy? Power? Sex? Fame? Wisdom?
What if you had plenty of money and could buy anything you wanted, you were powerful and could control others to obey your slightest whim, sex was available with a ready-and-willing-drop-dead-gorgeous partner of your choice 24/7, you were so famous that people from all over the world adulated you so much that they would go to any length to come to see you, and you were so smart and wise that you knew more than anyone in the world about any subject?
One would think that whomever possessed all those things would be the happiest person on the planet, and yet there are people who have experienced all or most of those things and yet somehow sustainable happiness eluded them.
So, do you want an example?
Of course you do.
Okay, how about King Solomon. He was the richest person on all of earth, a powerful king whose rule was absolute, he had all the sex he could handle with 700 wives and 300 concubines awaiting his beck and call, he was famous all over the world and even the Queen of Sheba traveled from afar to sit at his feet to listen to his infinite wisdom.
And yet even a cursory read of his life odyssey, Ecclesiastes, would reveal that none of those things could fulfill what he needed most. He felt life was monotonous, wisdom was vanity, wealth was futile, and death was certain.
“Vanity of vanities,” lamented Solomon, “all is vanity!” This word “vanity” means “emptiness,” “futility,” “vapor”; “that which vanishes quickly and leaves nothing behind.” Solomon used the word “vanity” 38 times in Ecclesiastes as he wrote about life “under
the sun.”
Elvis Presley at one time was king of rock and roll which had him rocking and rolling in cash, in bed, and buying anything he desired including mansions, jets, pink Cadillac’s, gaudy clothing and jewelry. So many beautiful women wanted to have sex with him, if he got in the mood, he would call downstairs and tell his bodyguard to “send one up”. Dozens would be hanging around for just such an opportunity and would leap for joy at being allowed into his bedroom.
Elvis once said he was the loneliest person on the planet, even though he was constantly surrounded by adoring fans and a huge entourage. Elvis began turning to drugs and alcohol which ultimately ended his misery. He met the same fate as many others such as Whitney Houston, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin. Today Steve Wynn in Las Vegas was just forced out of his the role of Chairman/CEO from the company that bears his name. The same thing happened to Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer. Their money, power, fame, sex, etc., means nothing. Vanity!
Ugh – I think I made my point. There is nothing attainable on earth that can fulfill the needs of humankind. Why? Because this world and everything in it falls under the rule of Lucifer. This was verified when Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the desert. He was weak from fasting for forty days when Satan approached Him and began tempting Him. Matthew 4:8: Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”
All the glory of this world belongs to Satan; he is the “prince of this world.” Is it any small wonder that what he has to offer will not fulfill our needs?
Jesus answered him in verse 10: “Away from me, Satan! Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve” Him only.’ Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him . . .
God made us all different and yet the same. We long to have peace, joy, and love in our lives and those only come from our relationship with God.
Going back to King Solomon and Ecclesiastes for a moment, from the human point of view, life does often appear futile; and it’s easy for us to get cynical. But we should not mistake reality with cynicism. Instead, he advises us to trust God and enjoy what we do have rather than complain about what we don’t have.
I read an article about this by Chuck Missler. He stated, “Solomon said nothing is really changed, nothing is really new, and nothing is understood. Solomon saw injustice to the poor, crooked politics, incompetent leaders, guilty people allowed to commit more crimes, materialism, and a desire for “the good old days.” How about that argument for the Bible being just as relevant today as it was when written approximately 930 BC?
After experimenting and investigating “life under the sun”, Solomon initially concluded, “No, life is not worth living!” And he gave four arguments to support his conclusion: the monotony of life, the vanity of wisdom, the futility of wealth, and the certainty of death.
But Solomon was also the wisest man in the entire world. In Chapters 3 to 10, he reviewed his arguments and this time brought God into the picture. What a difference it made! By reexamining each of these conclusions more carefully he realized that life was not monotonous but filled with challenging situations from God, each in its own time and each for its own purpose. He also learned that wealth could be enjoyed and employed to the glory of God. And though man’s wisdom couldn’t explain everything, Solomon concluded that it was better to follow God’s wisdom than to practice man’s folly. (Another reason to study the Bible daily!)
And finally as for the certainty of death issue, it is true that there is no way to escape death; but it should motivate all of us to enjoy life now and make the most of the opportunities God gives us. I would add that we also should look ahead to eternity in heaven and all its splendor and serve God as best we know how.
So today as you pursue your life’s ambitions, please keep in mind what will bring true fulfillment to your life . . . Look to Him, look within, and look at His purpose for your
life . . . The rest is all vanity.
1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.