GOLD CHAINS ARE STILL CHAINS
Ecclesiastes 2:17,18 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me.
All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. It is thought that King Solomon wrote this book. Solomon was one of the greatest kings Israel had at least in regards to achievement and wealth. While King David united the country and conquered all their enemies, it was Solomon that built the temple and made silver as common as stones. Solomon had anything a man could ask for and more. The sad thing was while he had seemingly everything his heart desired, he was not happy or fulfilled by any of it. Solomon’s possessions had come to possess him.
He couldn't enjoy any of it because he couldn’t keep it. He knew he was going to die like everyone does, and a deep root of selfishness filled his heart. If he couldn’t have it he didn’t want anyone else to have it either. All the massive building projects including the temple and the glory it had brought him, he would eventually lose to someone else to glory in. While he had so much, it did not bring him satisfaction and enjoyment.
How is your quest for happiness and fulfillment going? Are you working harder and enjoying it less? Is the sand of materialism and fulfillment like sand that keeps slipping between your fingers? Are those things you are working so hard for becoming so deformed by your attempt to keep them and control them. Are you crushing them, or they crushing you? Are the things that you felt would bring you such joy and happiness, draining what happiness you have? Are you finding that the more you have, the less you feel you have? Is you desire for more dictating how your life has become? Well, if you have answered yes to any of these questions don’t feel alone. Not only in the United States, but all over the world materialism has rooted itself in the hearts of people. It is there in the hearts of the very wealthy, and in the hearts of the poor. Yes, I did say the poor. The desire for more can rob the heart of happiness and fulfillment for both. In either case they can't find happiness in what they have. In the end it all boils down to what you make of what you have and not what it makes of you. Possessions that possess us are simply chains of gold. They may be gold, but they still bind us.
Through the years there have been many people that have become very wealthy and used it for the good of others. John D. Rockefeller was a man like this. He once said that he wanted to make as much money as he could and use it to help mankind. He certainly did much in the medical field as well as other areas that still benefit people today. Bill and Melinda Gates also have done this. Their foundation is the largest private philanthropic endeavors in the world. They help people all over the world with education and in areas of health care. These people along with many others down through time have not only been blessed in their generosity in their life, but the Lord will bless them when they stand before him on judgment day. You may be thinking that a person can not buy their way into heaven. This is true but their kindness will be remembered by Jesus just the same. Jesus said in Matt 10:42 that,”If anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Then in Luke 12:47,48 Jesus talks about accountability and how that will affect a person on judgment day. In Rev 20:13 it talks about each person being judged according to what they have done. While non-Christians will not go to heaven, Jesus will reward some going to hell with less punishment. Any good deed will not be forgotten by Jesus. I suppose this is why we here the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive.”
It is a shame to see what greed and selfishness can do to a person, and how it can rob all the good that could have come from their blessings. It certainly doesn’t have to be this way. When we use our blessings to bless others, we find we have a double blessing in them. Solomon had so much that he could have been the greatest philanthropist of all time, but he would sooner not have it than give it to another.
So how can we have real meaning and happiness with our blessings? I believe it lies in I Cor 10:42 where it says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” If we consider all we are, have, or ever will have or will be, belongs to the Lord, then we find a freedom and joy in it all. Not only will we be blessed here on earth, but also as we stand before Jesus.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for all you have given us, and all you have in store for us as well. You are such a wonderful God! Please help us to always glorify you in all we have as well as who we are. We love you Jesus.
