I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 HCSB
Every week millions of people buy lottery tickets with the hope of winning millions of dollars. Winning a lot of money is not always what it is publicized to be. Too many times winning large sums of money can also bring isolation, paranoia, drugs, crime, poverty, and even prison. Money.co.uk reported on 10 lottery winners and following are just a few of the stories of those who have won the big money: One had a long list of arrests and lawsuits. His wife said she wished she had torn up the ticket. One winner won 16.2 million and later described the experience as a “nightmare”. Within a year he was one million dollars in debt and today lives on his social security payments. Another won 18 million and gave money to a variety of community causes. Eight years later she filed for bankruptcy.
Solomon sought wisdom and all that was under heaven. He said he had experienced it all (riches, power, laughter, having fun, thrill seeking, and wisdom) and had found that nothing brought true satisfaction. It was just like chasing the wind. We can pursue the “good life” but we will never actually achieve it. There is nothing wrong with having money, power, and possessions, but true happiness can only be found in God. Happiness comes from knowing God and pleasing Him.
Challenge: What are you pursuing? Seek God and follow His direction in your life. True happiness and satisfaction can only be found in living for and serving God.