The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Solomon knew what he was talking about in the book of Ecclesiastes. He was a man who had it all: wisdom, adoring women, an earthly kingdom, and 25 tons of gold received yearly! What more could there be? Solomon knew the answer to that–it was wisdom to live right. God gave him the wisdom to see the truth among all the things he possessed. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a striving after the wind and a feeding on wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14
Most people find this hard to believe. Everything in our world tells us that to be happy we need success, power, money, and the perfect relationships. If we can only achieve these things we will have happiness. But this is not where contentment is found, this is a place of striving for more–chasing the wind. Eventually the striving shows its true nature–an empty chasing of something that cannot be grasped and the loss of what would have brought true fulfillment.
While there is nothing wrong in having goals and dreams,or money and power, it is sin to chase these things and neglect our families, or our God, in the process. God wants to bless us and give us our desires–when we seek Him first in our lives. But He warns us that gaining all the world has to give is worthless if we lose our soul in the process.
Solomon was more honest than most successful people, he admitted that everything the world entices us with is empty. He told everyone that he had tasted all the world’s promises, and in the end it was emptiness. He gives a simple but true conclusion to the pursuit of the world’s pleasures: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
Are you chasing the wind, spending time and energy pursuing more and more of the world’s offerings? Listen to Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, and trust in God by keeping His commandments. There is nothing of the world that you will give up in the process that will be worth more.
