JAN 15 

Ecclesiastes 2:7-10
Memorise Jeremiah 17:9
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked"

DO YOU ENVY HIS LIFE? (II)

Next, in verse 7-8 Solomon describes how he also accumulated wealth and all the things associated with wealth for himself. He acquired servants, both male and female, great possessions of great and small cattle, where his herd was larger than that which any ruler in Jerusalem had before him. He also gathered silver and gold in abundance, along with whatever treasures that kings would seek out. With his wealth he also hired singers, organized choirs and orchestras to tickle his ears and entertain him. All these were the delights of men, exclusive luxuries that only the rich and powerful could afford. All this, he had in abundance, and he luxuriated in all the best things that money could buy.

And so through all this, he proved that he was indeed a great and capable king. The wealth that he accumulated became the envy of all the surrounding nations. His reputation spread far and wide, so much so that when the Queen of Sheba made a trip down to see his wisdom, she was so impressed with his kingdom and the way he administered it, that she gave him even more riches (1 Kings 10)! Yet through all this, he was guided only by the principles of his own carnal desires, for whatsoever his eyes desired, he acquired. If he saw anything that he thought would give his heart joy, he got it! Remember of course, that he was the king! With all the wealth and power of the nation at his disposal, we can only being to imagine what sort of luxury, opulence and carnal pleasures that would entail. Coupled with his great intellect and labours, he would certainly make for a successful self-made man, at least in the eyes of the world.

As we look at such a description of Solomon, do we tend to envy him? Do we wish that we had such a life, of all the gifts, opportunities and resources that he had? Do we sometimes also envy the success of the people around us and perhaps ask God why He did not give us more? But we must ask, was that really a good way to live? If we were given the chance to do all that our hearts desired, do you think that would really be a happy life to live? Remember that our hearts are sinful and desperately wicked! Like Solomon, we will most likely be seeking after the carnal sins of the world, and not the things of God. Don’t envy him, but thank God that by His grace, we are kept from the pollutions of the world.

Thought: Restraint is better than no constrains!
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to be content with all that You have blessed me with!