Chasing Shadows: Finding True Satisfaction in God

Introduction: The Paradox of Plenty

Have you ever known someone who “has it all” but still seems empty inside?

Maybe that person is you?

We live in a world where success is measured by accumulation—money, property, followers, accolades. Yet Ecclesiastes 6 reminds us that even with all that, we can still feel deeply dissatisfied.

Why? Because having is not the same as enjoying, and enjoyment is a gift from God.

You can have everything and enjoy nothing if you’re disconnected from the Giver of all good things.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

Ecclesiastes 6:1–6 NIV

1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: 2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. 3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

Perceived Prosperity, Real Poverty

(Ecclesiastes 6:1–2)

“God gives someone wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their heart desires, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead.”

At first glance, this person seems blessed—wealth, possessions, and honor. But the tragedy unfolds: they cannot enjoy what they have. The text tells us this inability is not accidental—it is God who withholds enjoyment.

That hits hard. Why would God do that?

Because God never designed blessings to replace Him. When we try to find joy in gifts rather than the Giver, the joy withers.

This person may believe they’ve earned everything by their own hands. But without divine empowerment, even abundance becomes anguish. Wealth without worship is poverty in disguise.

Think of Abraham he goes to Egypt and he lies and gets what would seem to be a blessing. but he can’t enjoy it. it turns to trouble at every turn.

🡺 Reflection: Where are you seeking your joy? Are you asking God's blessings to satisfy a longing that only God Himself can fill?

Prosperous Yet Perished

(Ecclesiastes 6:3–5)

“A man may have a hundred children and live many years…yet no enjoyment… I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.”

Solomon now uses provocative imagery—a man with everything culture valued: children and long life. Yet, without joy, his life is tragic. The comparison is shocking: better to never have been born than to live a long, prosperous life apart from joy in God.

Jesus once said of Judas, “It would have been better for him if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). That’s the same sentiment here. This is not cold-hearted—it’s compassionate realism. A life without divine fulfillment is a shadow of what life is meant to be.

🡺 Challenge: Are we chasing a life that looks full but is actually empty? Are we mistaking activity and abundance for spiritual vitality?

Pursuing Eternal Prosperity

(Ecclesiastes 6:6)

“Even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity—do not all go to the same place?”

Solomon lands the point: whether you live a short or long life, death levels the playing field. What matters isn’t how long you live or what you own, but whether you lived it with God.

Psalm 90:12 teaches, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom teaches us to invest not in shadows, but in the eternal.

Psalm 90:12 NIV

12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

🡺 Encouragement: A life in Christ is not empty—it’s abundant, even if materially modest. Christ offers “living water” (John 4:14) and life to the full (John 10:10). He satisfies the longing soul.

How This Points to Christ

Ecclesiastes sets the stage for Christ. It strips away illusions of satisfaction apart from God and exposes the soul's deep thirst for more. Then Jesus enters history and says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

Only Christ can satisfy the soul. In Him, we discover a joy the world cannot give and death cannot take away.

He gives what the Teacher longed for: eternal joy, meaningful life, and rest for our restless hearts.

Next Steps: Reorient Your Heart

Examine your life: What are you looking to for satisfaction?

Ask God to reveal where your joy is misplaced.

Practice contentment by giving thanks each day for God’s presence.

Recenter your daily rhythms around Him—through prayer, Scripture, and trust.

Remember: God alone gives the power to enjoy. Seek Him first.

Conclusion: Don’t Chase Shadows

Ecclesiastes 6 holds a mirror to our culture of excess and calls us to something deeper. Don’t be deceived by the illusion of prosperity. Don’t chase shadows when you were made for light.

Seek the Giver. Trust His provision. And find your joy in the One who satisfies.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:

In what areas of your life do you feel dissatisfaction despite abundance?

Why do you think God sometimes withholds enjoyment from what we have?

How does this passage change your view of what a “blessed” life looks like?

What practical steps can you take this week to reorient your joy toward God?

How does Jesus fulfill the longings expressed in Ecclesiastes 6?

Bibliography

Hubbard, David A., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. Vol. 16 of The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1991. Moore, David G., and Daniel L. Akin. Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Edited by Max Anders. Vol. 14. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2003. Lohfink, Norbert. A Continental Commentary: Qoheleth. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003. Cone, Christopher. Life Beyond the Sun: An Introduction to Worldview & Philosophy through the Lens of Ecclesiastes. Ft. Worth, TX: Tyndale Seminary Press, 2009.

YouTube

Chasing Shadows: Finding True Satisfaction in God 📖 Ecclesiastes 6:1–6 🎙️ Part 16 of our series through Ecclesiastes 🙌 Speaker: Pastor Ryan

In this powerful message, Pastor Ryan unpacks the sobering truths of Ecclesiastes 6:1–6, where the Teacher laments the futility of wealth, success, and long life when they are disconnected from God. Why is it that someone can have everything—riches, family, and years—yet still feel empty? Because true satisfaction doesn’t come from what we have, but from who we know.

💡 Key Theme: True satisfaction and lasting joy are only found in God. 🧭 Big Idea: Without God, even the greatest blessings feel meaningless. But with Him, we find joy, purpose, and eternal hope. ✝️ Christ Connection: Jesus offers the living water that truly satisfies (John 4:14). In Him, we find the life that never fades (John 10:10).

🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with our Ecclesiastes series and more Christ-centered messages. 👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔗 Share this video to encourage someone today. 🌐 Learn more: https://laughlinchurch.com 📲 Download our app: https://laughlinchurch.com/download-the-app

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Bible Study

Here’s a 3-day Bible study to accompany your sermon on Ecclesiastes 6:1–6 titled “Chasing Shadows: Finding True Satisfaction in God.” This study will help your congregation reflect more deeply on the sermon, apply the message to daily life, and prepare their hearts for the next teaching from Ecclesiastes.

Bible Study: Chasing Shadows — Finding True Satisfaction in God

📖 Based on Ecclesiastes 6:1–6 🗓️ 3-Day Devotional Study 🎯 Goal: To understand the futility of pursuing satisfaction apart from God and cultivate a life rooted in eternal joy through Him.

Day 1: Perceived Prosperity, Real Poverty

📖 Read: Ecclesiastes 6:1–2; Psalm 49:10–20

🧠 Reflection: Solomon speaks of a person who has been given riches, honor, and abundance—everything the world says we need to be happy. Yet this person cannot enjoy any of it. Why? Because God has not granted them the ability to enjoy it. This is a sobering truth: joy is not a guarantee of wealth, but a gift from God.

✍️ Hebrew Word Study:

"Enjoy" (שָׁלַט – shalat) in v.2, translated “empowered” or “enabled,” refers to having authority or dominion over something. The idea here is that God gives or withholds the power to truly enjoy life’s blessings.

💬 Questions for Reflection:

What are some things you’ve pursued thinking they would bring satisfaction? Did they deliver?

Can you think of a time when you had less but experienced more joy?

How might you begin to seek God’s empowerment to enjoy the life He’s given you?

🙏 Prayer Prompt: “Lord, help me not just to receive good things, but to receive the joy of those things from You. Teach me to trust You as the giver of joy, not just the provider of blessings.”

Day 2: Prosperous Yet Perished

📖 Read: Ecclesiastes 6:3–5; Matthew 16:26; Philippians 4:11–13

🧠 Reflection: Solomon delivers a shocking comparison: a man with 100 children and a long life may still be worse off than a stillborn child if he cannot enjoy his life. This forces us to confront the question: What is the value of a life without joy and purpose?

✍️ Hebrew Word Study:

"Stillborn" (נֵפֶל – nefel) literally means “an untimely birth” or a miscarriage. This tragic image illustrates how meaningless even the longest life can seem when it is not filled with the presence and purpose of God.

💬 Questions for Reflection:

What do you think Solomon means when he says “even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity”?

How do Paul's words in Philippians challenge your understanding of contentment?

In what ways can you begin living a life of contentment in Christ today?

🙏 Prayer Prompt: “Father, remind me that life’s meaning is not found in how long I live or what I own, but in knowing and serving You. Help me find contentment in Christ, whether I have much or little.”

Day 3: Pursuing Eternal Prosperity

📖 Read: Ecclesiastes 6:6; John 10:10; Colossians 3:1–4

🧠 Reflection: Solomon concludes that even if someone lives 2,000 years, they ultimately end up in the same place—the grave. Life under the sun is short. Eternal prosperity, not temporal possessions, should be our pursuit.

✍️ Greek Word Connection:

“Life” (ζωὴ – zoē) in John 10:10 is not just biological life, but abundant, eternal life that begins now in relationship with Jesus. This is the kind of life that Ecclesiastes hints at—one that’s truly satisfying.

💬 Questions for Reflection:

Are you investing your time, energy, and heart into things that will outlast your life?

What steps can you take to shift your priorities toward eternal things?

How might your perspective on death and legacy change if you focus on eternal life in Christ?

🙏 Prayer Prompt: “Jesus, thank You for offering life that is truly life. Teach me to set my mind on things above and to live with eternity in view. Let my satisfaction be rooted in You.”

Looking Ahead

🔄 Prepare for Next Week:

Reflect on how Ecclesiastes 6 challenges your view of fulfillment.

Begin praying that God would reshape your desires and show you where your heart is misplaced.

Read Ecclesiastes 6:7–12 to prepare for the next message in the series.

📚 Memory Verse (Optional): "Better the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind." – Ecclesiastes 6:9 (ESV)

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable handout or formatted for your app or small groups!

Notes

Here’s a sermon notes page designed for your congregation to follow along with during your message on Ecclesiastes 6:1–6, titled “Chasing Shadows: Finding True Satisfaction in God.” It includes space for fill-ins, Scripture references, and reflection prompts to encourage engagement and application.

📖 Sermon Notes

Title: Chasing Shadows: Finding True Satisfaction in God Text: Ecclesiastes 6:1–6 Date: [Insert Date] Speaker: Pastor Ryan

✍️ Main Idea:

True satisfaction cannot be found in what we possess but only in the God who provides.

🧩 Sermon Outline:

1. The Gift Without the Giver (vv.1–2)

What seems like a blessing can become a burden if we __________ God.

Key truth: Joy is not guaranteed by possessions, but is a __________ from God.

“God does not empower him to enjoy them...” (v.2)

📝 Reflection: Have I been more focused on what I have than who gave it?

2. A Life Full of Things, Empty of Meaning (vv.3–5)

Even a large family and long life can feel __________ if we lack joy and purpose.

Solomon’s shocking comparison: a stillborn child may be better off than the man who cannot __________ life.

📝 Reflection: What do I chase in hopes of finding meaning or identity?

3. The Final Destination is the Same (v.6)

Whether you live 2 years or 2,000, we all return to __________.

Without God, the journey may be longer, but it leads to the same place.

📝 Reflection: Am I living for today’s pleasures or for eternal purpose?

🔍 Key Hebrew Word:

שָׁלַט (shalat) – “to have authority, to empower”

God must give us the ability to enjoy what we have. Without Him, even abundance is empty.

✨ Big Takeaway:

You can have everything in your hands and still have nothing in your heart. Only in God can we find lasting joy, purpose, and peace.

📌 Application Questions:

Where am I looking for satisfaction apart from God?

What’s one way I can practice contentment this week?

How can I enjoy God more than His gifts?

📖 Memory Verse:

“Better the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” — Ecclesiastes 6:9 (ESV)

🧭 Looking Ahead:

Read Ecclesiastes 6:7–12 and ask: Where am I laboring without lasting gain? What does it mean to live wisely under God’s rule?

Let me know if you'd like this formatted into a printable handout, a slide deck, or uploaded into your church app!

Chasing Shadows: Finding True Satisfaction in God

Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

Summary: In Ecclesiastes 6:1-6, the author reflects on the futility of wealth and the vanity of life. Despite having riches, a person may still feel unfulfilled, illustrating the emptiness that exists outside of a relationship with God. The passage emphasizes that true satisfaction is not found in earthly possessions but in God alone.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to examine where they seek satisfaction in their lives. It challenges the audience to reorient their hearts toward finding joy in their relationship with God, rather than in material wealth or achievements. It invites listeners to reflect on their priorities and make intentional choices that align with seeking God first.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that material wealth does not guarantee fulfillment; true contentment comes from a deep and abiding relationship with God. It stresses that the pursuit of joy and meaning must be rooted in spiritual fidelity, rather than in the accumulation of earthly goods.

How this passage could point to Christ: The theme of finding true satisfaction in God resonates throughout Scripture, ultimately pointing to Christ, who offers living water (John 4:14) and declares that true life is found in Him (John 10:10). In Christ, believers discover profound joy and purpose that transcends earthly circumstances.

Big Idea: True satisfaction and lasting joy are only achieved when we seek God and trust in His provision rather than chasing the fleeting pleasures of this world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon using your Logos library, consider exploring the historical context of Ecclesiastes to understand the author’s perspective on wealth and satisfaction. Investigate possible translation variations in key terms like 'satisfaction' and 'vanity.' Additionally, examining parallel texts in Proverbs or the New Testament could enrich your exploration of contentment in God.

1. Perceived Prosperity, Real Poverty

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2

You could highlight the perceived injustice and enigma of life where one may possess wealth but lacks the enjoyment of it. Reflect on the insatiable nature of worldly pursuits and how, without God, even abundance feels like deprivation. This sermonic reflection can be used to prompt personal introspection on what we truly value and depend upon for our joy. It invites people to recognize God’s sovereign distribution of joy and contentment amidst our possessions.

2. Prosperous Yet Perished

Ecclesiastes 6:3-5

Perhaps consider the vivid imagery of transient life where many children and long years bring no true satisfaction. Delve into the comparison made between a stillborn child and someone who lives a long life without fulfillment. Encourage your audience to ponder the profound question of what constitutes a meaningful life if abundance, in numbers or years, is devoid of divine fulfillment. This striking imagery challenges us to seek our worth, life’s purpose, and legacy in God's eternal promises.

3. Pursuing Eternal Prosperity

Ecclesiastes 6:6

Maybe explore the final culmination of the argument that whether long life or wealth is accumulated, without God, all ends in sameness — the grave. This equality in death challenges the audience to seek the richness of an eternal asset — a life found in God. Use this to remind believers of the hope and life in Christ that transcends the grave, urging a reassessment of all that we chase in life so that it drives towards eternal significance through a relationship with God.