Life “under the sun” in this fallen world is short, elusive, confusing, and exhausting. After much reflection, that was Solomon’s conclusion. And we can certainly relate. Life brings us to the jolting reality that we are no longer in our twenties, that our children are no longer in elementary school, and that we have more days in our rearview mirror than ahead of us. We ask ourselves, “How in the world did that happen?” But as we ask the question, time just keeps moving on. 

To deal with life’s brevity, Solomon decided to pursue pleasure. As a powerful and wealthy king, he could have and do anything he wanted. He tried wine to escape reality. He directed all kinds of building projects, from palaces to parks to pools. And he won the contest for “Most Possessions.” He had more stuff “than any who had been before [him] in Jerusalem” (Eccl. 2:7). And yet, nothing filled his empty heart. So…he tried accumulating wealth.  

Ecclesiastes 2:8a
I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces.

Money is a neutral object made of paper and metal and confirmed in bank statements or portfolios. Contrary to the adage, money doesn’t talk…or feel or act. Money is neither good nor bad but can be used in good and bad ways. It’s the “love of money” that is the “root of all kinds of evils” (1 Tim. 6:10). The desire to satisfy the heart with more wealth is a trap that has led many into “ruin and destruction” (1 Tim. 6:9). Money has caused godly people to wander “away from the faith” (1 Tim. 6:10). 

Nine hundred years after Solomon, another wealthy man met with Jesus. Like Solomon, he wanted to know how he could find lasting meaning and purpose, so he went right to the Source. After Jesus listed several commandments, the man said he had kept every one of them perfectly. Here’s the way the gospel writer, Mark, tells the story:

Mark 10:21-22
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

I think this is one of the saddest stories in Scripture. The man wanted purpose but not without his possessions. He wanted assurance of eternal life but not without his money. And with this extreme ask, “go, sell all that you have…” Jesus showed this man that the god of money, rather than the God of heaven, was controlling his life. How about you? What part does money play in your life? As someone has well said, “Money makes a great servant but a poor master.” Solomon concludes that chasing after money is like chasing after the wind.  

Father, the temptation is real every day. There is something within us that desires more things and tells us that we will be happier when we have them. Forgive us. Help us understand that all we have are gifts from you and should be used to honor you. Help us to love, honor, respect, and obey you with our wealth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.