Life Satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 NASB95

24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? 26 For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

Self-Driven

Stop seeking life’s satisfaction in all the wrong places (I will stop looking for life’s satisfaction in all the wrong places)

Solomon was very wise in his time. Also very wealthy. He says he tested life to find what is satisfying to direct others where to find it. With drinking. Possessions: houses, gardens, parks, good engineering on his land, servants, wealth in livestock and silver and gold. Personal choir. Many women. Everything he desired, he didn’t deny anything. Conclusion with these, nothing was gained.

His know how as king, and all his work. Both wise and fools will face death. All that he had learned can’t prevent death. Everything he had done will go to someone else, and he can’t predict whose hands it will fall. Even if he did it with all the wisdom, knowledge, and skill, it will go to a person who didn’t work for it. That made him depressed about life altogether on this earth. For even though he was paid, there’s grief and sorrow with occupation.

Application: Solomon found that life’s satisfaction can’t be found in any of these things. If he, being as wise as he was, rich as he was, powerful as he was, able to get everything he wanted, but came to despair. We should stop looking for life’s satisfaction in all these wrong places. Per Ecc 7:29.

GOD-Given

Start telling yourself that you are satisfied (I am satisfied)

What is the alternative Solomon? Nothing better than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. Eat and drink are those things that are necessary for the body. Enjoy here really means tell himself that his labor is good.

Application: Paul says with clothes and food we ought to be content. Instead of seeking in the wrong areas, start telling ourselves “I’m satisfied”. People too often tell themselves they’re unsatisfied because they’re looking at life from an “under the sun perspective”. Not saying completely avoid all that he has mentioned, for many of them are assets to life.

See life’s satisfaction as a gift from GOD (My satisfaction in life is a gift from GOD)

Solomon wasn’t groundless in that statement. He bases it on the fact that he has experienced/witnessed that frame of mind being a gift from GOD.

Application: You and I won’t begin telling ourselves that we’re satisfied and believing it, until we see and recognize those benefits as a gift from GOD.

Sustainable happiness is impossible without GOD (Sustainable happiness is impossible without GOD)

Not only does Solomon see it as a gift, but he backs it up with a profound reason. Satisfaction, happiness, a life of joy is impossible without GOD.

Application: Elihu in Job 36 says that GOD feeds the lions. Jesus says GOD feeds the ravens. Do we really think we aren’t fed by GOD. GOD is the creator of life and all things therein. Do we really think we can find life satisfaction and joy without him!!

Strive to please GOD and be filled with joyful satisfaction

Solomon gives an extended reason to see life’s satisfaction and joy as a gift from GOD. But he now distinguishes to whom. It is the person who strives to please him, through faith, submission, humility, obedience, and loving devotion. They are given wisdom - know how to navigate, fear him, endure, skillful, heed warnings, etc. Then there’s JOY!!!

Application: If we seek to please GOD, joy comes in the divine package. Presence of Holy Spirit. Reminds us don’t fret or trip over evil doers. Don’t envy anyone. I am God’s child, he is my GOD and father, what do I need to fear!!! Joy and happiness is a built in product of having the Holy Spirit!!!

Strive without GOD and be dissatisfied

The alternative is what Solomon described prior to this realization. That’s striving to find life’s satisfaction in everything in everything under the sun, without the GOD who created it. When one lives life in that way, all the wealth they accumulate will be purposed for those who strive to please GOD.

Application: Not a person in here has seen the air. Yet people like this spend life trying to fill and satisfy themselves with a pound air, and it has never been done.