Be Careful What You Chase

An Introduction to Ecclesiastes

King Solomon had it all! The crown had been passed down to him by his father, David, Israel’s favorite king. He had been given the honor of building the temple of God and during his reign, Israel experienced peace, growth, and wealth. God had gone above and beyond his prayer for wisdom and discernment and given him riches and honor, as well. (1 Kings 3:7-14) Yet with all he had achieved, King Solomon reached the end of his life and realized that none of it mattered. Without God, all the wisdom, wealth, and honor were empty, hollow, and meaningless. When Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, he was saying to those who would listen: “Be careful what you chase. Take it from someone who knows.”

It’s human nature to search for more. We were created with this desire so we would discover our Creator. Unfortunately, until we realize that only God can fill that hole in our soul, our striving will be ceaseless. If it’s wealth we strive for, there will always be more to attain. If it’s success, there will always be more to achieve. If it’s accolades, there will always be more people to impress. If it’s wisdom, there will always be more to learn. We were created by God to bring Him glory. Until we figure that out, we will never be truly satisfied. We will always be looking for the missing piece. The one thing that will finally satisfy us.

Don’t miss the point.

As Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, I wonder if he thought about how it all started. When he took the throne, he had a heart for the Lord. All that mattered to him was wisdom so he could follow God and lead well, and God blessed him with more than he could’ve imagined. But somewhere along the way, Solomon forgot where it all came from. His focus shifted from God’s glory to his own and he reached the end of his life realizing how worthless it all really was.

True satisfaction can only come in God’s purpose for our lives. He may choose to give us wealth, success, accolades, and wisdom, but if they take the wrong place in our lives we will end up like Solomon, looking back and realizing we missed the whole point.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” – Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

Be careful what you chase. Surrender your life and everything in it to the One who created you. No one knows you better or loves you more. The longings in your soul were placed there by Him. Every good thing you have comes from Him. Your talents, your opportunities, your resources, the fact that you were given another breath, all of it will all be wasted if they are not invested in eternal things.

Of all the wonderful things we may achieve on earth, only that which is done for the glory of God will follow us into eternity. The rest of it will just fade away.

“Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

C.T. Studd