What Gain in Pleasure?

If there was every anyone who had it all together it was Solomon. He was the son of the greatest king Israel ever knew. He was a writer, a scientist, a king. He has more money than you could dream of. He was king of the most prestigious realm of his day. He had as many wives and lovers as he wanted. Oh, he was also smarter than anyone, anywhere.

Solomon, in all his wisdom, decided to try to figure out life.

"All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure." (Ecclesiastes 2:10)

What was the result? "I found everything to be futile" (vs 11).

Solomon tried this with pleasure and wisdom and justice and many things. In everything he found it to be a waste of time.

Solomon's conclusion: (5:18) "It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. God has also given riches and weatlth to every man, and he has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart."

There is nothing to be gained by wealth, pleasure, power, or prestige. But we should enjoy life as a gift from God. There is nothing better than realizing we were made by God for God. Now that's pleasure!

Pastor Tom