Solomon – The man who had it all
First video – Ed Sheeran Heinz ad – https://youtu.be/keOaQm6RpBg?si=ZPrTlpPr_bwlrxiL
Second video – Mercedes Benz Stability – https://youtu.be/nLwML2PagbY?si=MRcCNk-S1D1v4h6R
Third Video – Coca Cola Happiness Machine – https://youtu.be/lqT_dPApj9U?si=jJEzpN99A30MKEID
Solomon bought into a very similar lie.
- More things will make you happier.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 “I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief.”
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.”
Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 “ I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.”
Here is a study from Denver Health Medical on happiness:
- Practice Daily Gratitude. Expressing gratitude has been shown to do more than improve your mood. …
- Surround Yourself with Positive People. …
- Do Regular Acts of Kindness. …
- Spend More Time with Family and Friends. …
- Spend Money on Experiences Instead of Things.
Difference between happiness and joy (Behavioral health definition):
“Happiness is typically a more fleeting emotion, often sparked by a particular moment or event that brings a sense of excitement or exhilaration. Joy, on the other hand, is a more long-lasting state of being, characterized by contentment and satisfaction with life overall.”
Happiness is reliant upon what is going on around you.
Joy is what is going on inside of you.
John 15:10-14 “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
So what are some of the things Jesus says will fill our hear with joy?
- Keeping God’s commands.
- Love each other the way Jesus loved.
- Lay your life down for others.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.”
My suggestion:
- You will never know joy unless you live for something bigger than yourself.
- You will never finish strong in life if you pursue selfish gains.
- You were created to be in relationship with God
