What's It All About?

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. [Ecclesiastes 6.9] 

Solomon said a LOT of things. As far as I know however, Jesus never quoted a single thing Solomon said.

What does this tell us about wisdom? Let's look...

The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen. [Matthew 12.42 (Luke 11.31)]

What this tells us is that, as important as wisdom is, Jesus is more important. Jesus referred to Solomon, but did not quote him. We might learn something important from this fact.

Based on what I have come to know of Jesus up to this point in my life, I can imagine hearing Him say something like this regarding Ecclesiastes 6.9: "Solomon spoke of enjoyment regarding what you have or don't have, but I tell you, life is not about enjoyment, but taking up your cross and following me." Oh wait! Jesus did say something very relevant:

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. [Matthew 10.39] 

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. [Luke 9.23]

So, true successful life in Christ is neither about enjoying what we have nor about not desiring what we don't have, but instead, Jesus said it is about giving up everything (our lives) for Him.

This all brings what Paul told Timothy into perspective:

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. [1 Timothy 6.6-7]

True godliness is contentment in Jesus Christ. Period. What we bring to the table of life or leave the table of life with is nothing (literally). Repeat: NOTHING! Jesus Christ is everything.

As long as we are focused on our enjoyment, we are NOT in Christ.

Father, may our focus be on Jesus in everything. So be it.