Ecclesiastes 6 reminds me of the time I was in college. I was so poor that I literally could not afford to eat most Sundays when the meal plan was not offered. I worked very hard just to pay for school and pass classes. I was also very aware I was not one of the gifted, talented and beautiful people that came from the other side of the tracks. All I had was what I earned in a couple of jobs and enough stubbornness not to quit. It was a challenge, but I believe having no money kept me from doing many stupid things. Today I appreciate things so much because I have much more than I ever dreamed possible. I am not wealthy, I am blessed beyond comprehension. As I read this chapter, I thought of the moment that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, saying, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Most of us would have treated that like the lottery and we would have asked for the thing we think will make us happy, fulfilled, or successful. Recall that Solomon asked, “Give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong“. Also recall that God said, “I will do what you have asked… Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both wealth and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings“. Solomon certainly became more rich and powerful than anyone that ever lived. As he wrote this chapter I believe he was the magazine cover, the man of the year, the public picture of success. He begins, “I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them“. What hinders the enjoyment of success? I believe it begins with failure to recognize all we have comes from God, and then neglecting to acknowledge God with a grateful heart. Do you lack thankfulness?
Those that continuously focus on what they do not have will never be satisfied. Solomon gives us this example, “A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial… a stillborn child is better off“.Why would that be? That means none of his family or friends or children honored him enough to give him a proper funeral. Perhaps they value his money more that his memory. I do not think that is possible of anyone that lives life with thankfulness. He says this kind of life is “meaningless, a grievous evil“. It has nothing to do with health and wealth, “even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity“. He asks, “Do not all go to the same place?” These old bodies wear out and quit working eventually. It comes down to the question of motivation. Colossians 3:23 give a better motivation, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…It is the Lord Christ you are serving“. Friend, who are you serving?
At this point in his life, Solomon had every possession possible. He had 700 wives and concubines, with many homes full of fine furniture and a garage full of exotic vehicles, yet he seems to be wandering alone as he writes. “Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied“. Just as filling only your own mouth makes you fat, seeking only your own satisfaction leaves you feeling empty. “What advantage have the wise over fools?” He notes, “Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite“. This could be translated, look at what you have, rather than what you do not have. He explains, “For who knows what is good for a person in life“. Today, I thank God for what I did not have in my 20’s. I’m not sure I would have survived with access to all the world offers. Without hunger, how can we appreciate fullness? Some people say “I want what I deserve!”. Romans 6:23 reminds us, “The wages of sin is death“. That, friend, is what you deserve. Jesus paid that penalty, because He loves you. Now we can experience peace with God, “Because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthian 9:15). I know I have much more than I deserve, how about you?