August 7/8, 2004

Shiny Happy People
Soul Talk Series, Part 4
Speaker: Jimmy Lee

Ecclesiastes 1:16 – 2:11
¹⁶I said to myself, "Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them." ¹⁷So I worked hard to distinguish wisdom from foolishness. But now I realize that even this was like chasing the wind. ¹⁸For the greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

¹I said to myself, "Come now, let's give pleasure a try. Let's look for the `good things' in life." But I found that this, too, was meaningless. ²"It is silly to be laughing all the time," I said. "What good does it do to seek only pleasure?" ³After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I hoped to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world. ⁴I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. ⁵I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. ⁶I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. ⁷I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned great herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who lived in Jerusalem before me. ⁸I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! ⁹So I became greater than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. And with it all, I remained clear-eyed so that I could evaluate all these things. ¹⁰Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work, an additional reward for all my labors. ¹¹But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

Four Typical Pursuits That Don’t Work :

• Wisdom and knowledge won’t make you happy

• Pleasure won’t make you happy

• Possessions won’t make you happy

• Achievements won’t make you happy

“To my friends: My work is done. Why wait?”
(Suicide note of George Eastman, developer of the Kodak camera. - 1932)

How do we find lasting meaning and fulfillment in our lives?

Realize our need for Jesus. (Matt. 5:3 – “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.”)

Remember that our days are numbered. (Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”)

Replace our voices of disappointment with God’s Voice of Love. (Zeph. 3:17 – “For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over your with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.”)

 

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