How To Be Rich In The Things That Matter

                                                

variety of flowers

Often we  find ourselves chasing after things that are meaningless, things that seem important today only tomorrow comes and they are not so important. As we begin to put first things first, we realize that there are more to life than material gain.  We find that our family, good friends and people are more important than things. Here we see Solomon reminiscing on his life.....


 " I thought in my heart,"come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good."   But that also proved  to  be meaningless.  "Laughter," I said, "is foolish.  And what does pleasure accomplish?"

From the joy of divine communion, Solomon turned to find satisfaction in the pleasure of the sense. How often we too find ourselves chasing after the pleasures of this life only to come up empty with heartaches, sorrow and broken dreams. As he continued we see he did everything possible to gain happiness.....

"I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly - my mind still guiding me with wisdom.  I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

I undertook great projects:  I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.  I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.  All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

Inspite of Solomon's shortcomings the Lord sought to arouse him to the realization of his wrong actions.

"I hated all these things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.  And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?  Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun.

So my heart began to despair over.  For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it.

What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors?  All his days and work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest.

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can or find enjoyment?  To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom,knowledge and happiness."

Solomon's conscience was quickened and he finally saw his errors at last the discipline of suffering had accomplished its work. 

Ecclesiastes 2:1-12,17-24)