So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11).
Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel that God had blessed with great wisdom, struggled with an issue that many of us deal with today. In this passage, he eliquently describes his great accomplishments as a source of joy and happiness. Between verses 10 and 11, something changes his perspective – his accomplishments and triumphs have become “empty” victories and have no real lasting value in his eyes. He makes the stunning announcement that everything he has done has “no profit under the sun.”
We live in a world that demands results and success; although the definition of what the results and successes are changes with each generation, the pressures are the same. At one time or another, we all have sacrificed, planned, and worked towards some goal with the idea that once we attain it, we will feel happy, content, and able to enjoy our success. In reality, what many of us find is although we have accomplished our goal, whether it be an immediate or long term one, the feelings of contentment and joy only last for a moment before emptiness again takes hold.
The ultimate question we should begin to ask ourselves is what are our ultimate goals in life? As we try to answer that question others soon appear, such as – what do I define as “success”? or can I set earthly goals without sacrificing my spiritual goals? – and there are tons more that go through our minds as we really begin to decide what is important in our lives. The book of Proverbs clearly discusses the importance of future planning and the concept of preparing for the time when you cannot work (consider the ant, Proverbs 6:6). Jesus taught, as recroded in the gospels, we are not supposed to seek earthly treasures and wealth, but instead, to set our goals and aims to Heaven (Matthew 6:20). So how are these two very different and distinct teachings to be reconciled?
As Christians, Paul wrote that we need to learn to be content with what we have and remember that Christ is with us always; Peter wrote it is Christ that should be the focus of our joy (Philippians 4:11; Hebrews 13:5; I Peter 1:8). There is nothing wrong – in fact it is a Biblical precept – that we should plan financially for our future; however, we need to be sure that when we are blessed financially by God that the possession of wealth does not become our life’s focus. Think about the rich man that told Jesus that he had kept the Ten Commandments since his childhood and wanted to know what else he had to do. When Jesus told him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and follow him, the young man walked away distraught (Luke 18:22). I am sure if Jesus had told him to just follow him, there would be no issue and this man might even had become an apostle; however, this was not the case because his life had become centered upon the wealth that he possessed.
Apply this teaching of Jesus to the featured text. Just like Solomon, this young man had inherited a great fortune and place of respect. In many ways, he began to see his own accomplishments and wealth as being what gave his life definition – yet all his possessions, his position in the community, and all the power he posessed still did not bring him satisfaction and joy. Why else would he ask Jesus what else did he need to do? Why would Solomon state that everything he was, everything he possessed, and all his personal accomplishments were vanity? They were seeking the joy that only Christ can bring.
When we determine we want our lives to become more Christ-centered, it is amazing what God will do through us and what joy that it brings. Becoming more Christ-centered provides clarity in our lives. It allows us to see what really is important, what really matters, and what is vanity. It means letting go of whatever holds us back from fully embracing the joy of our salvation through Jesus Christ.
