Emptiness of Pleasure and Possessions

Introduction: Solomon lists his experiences in gaining prominence and possessions. This is a lesson about uncontrolled desires, and discontented hearts. This Scripture prompts the reader to balance material goals, with measured Godliness.

A. The Writer: Probably Solomon, though he did not sign the writing, there is sufficient information to prove him as the penman.

B. The Writing: 1) Proverbs - Foolishness 2) Ecclesiastes - Frailty 3) Songs of Solomon - Feelings

The Pursuit of Pleasure (2:1-3)

The Plan to Pursue Pleasure (2:1-2) - “1 I said to myself, "Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure and enjoy what is good." But it turned out to be futile. 2 I said about laughter, "It is madness," and about pleasure, "What does this accomplish?"

Psalm 10:3-6 (HCSB) - “3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the Lord. 4 In all his scheming, the wicked arrogantly thinks:"There is no accountability, [since] God does not exist." 5 His ways are always secure; Your lofty judgments are beyond his sight; he scoffs at all his adversaries. 6 He says to himself, "I will never be moved- from generation to generation without calamity."

Isaiah 14:12-15 (HCSB) - “12 Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. 13 You said to yourself: "I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the [gods'] assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. 14 I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." 15 But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit.”

The Product of Pursuing Pleasure (2:3) - “3 I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly-my mind still guiding me with wisdom-until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.”

Ephesians 5:15-18 (HCSB) - “15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:”

Psalm 90:9-12 (NLT) - “9 We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan. 10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. 11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

“The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills.” - Richard J. Needham

The Pursuit of Possessions (2:4-8)

Personal Pursuit of Possessions (2:4-6) - “4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs of water for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.”

Genesis 11:4 (HCSB) - “4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (HCSB) - “11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

Prodigious Pursuit of Possessions (2:7-8) - “7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men.”

Matthew 6:24 (HCSB) - “24 "No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.”

1 John 2:15-17 (HCSB) - “15 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For everything that belongs to the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's lifestyle-is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God's will remains forever.”

The Payment for Pleasure and Possessions (2:9-11)

Immediate Rewards (2:9-10) - “9 Thus, I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.”

Genesis 3:6 (HCSB) - “6 Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate [it]; she also gave [some] to her husband, [who was] with her, and he ate [it].”

Psalm 128:2 (HCSB) - “2 You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you.”

Long-term Regrets (2:11) - “11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

Luk3 12:13-21 (HCSB) - “13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 "Friend," He said to him, "who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 He then told them, "Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions." 16 Then He told them a parable: "A rich man's land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, 'What should I do, since I don't have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,' he said. 'I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I'll say to myself, "You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself." ' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared-whose will they be?'21 "That's how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (HCSB) - “6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.