We can easily get caught up in coveting what others have or focusing on certain things that we want, that we think will bring us happiness and fulfillment. The bigger house, the fancier car, the better job, a greater accomplishment, some even fall by pursuing the “better” spouse…
This is not to say that we should not be willing to work to provide for our family or seek to accomplish good things for the Lord. Indeed no! However we should take care not to seek fulfillment in these things and put their pursuit in the place of seeking fulfillment in our pursuit of relationship with our Creator and Father.
None of this can ultimately fulfill and satisfy in a lasting way. This is not to say there will not be periodic thrills and excitement, a rush from achievement, and so on. However, those who can not be content with what they have, will always want more. And those who seek genuine and fulfilling purpose by acquiring more possessions will come up empty. Only YHWH satisfies and fulfills. Everything else is like chasing the wind.
The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions
1I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. 2I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” 3I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. 4I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; 5I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 6I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 7I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 8Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines.
9Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 11Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
—-
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.