The Vapour of Striving·Wednesday · October 7
The Experiment with Fun and Money
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Ecclesiastes 2:1–3, 10–11
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth. Therefore enjoy pleasure;” and behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is foolishness;” and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives. Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Reflection
The Preacher decided to run a big test on himself. He said: “I will test you with pleasure”. He tried laughter, good food, and fine wine. He did not hold his eyes back from anything they wanted. He had more wealth and fun than anyone else.
But when he stopped and looked at all his fun, he saw the truth: it was all a vapor and a chasing after wind. Pleasure cannot be caught by chasing it. When you demand that fun make you truly happy, it leaves you feeling hollow inside.
Theology
The Hope
True joy does not come from earthly pleasures; it is a gift from the God who made you.
Daily life
The Heart
We often try to run away from our pain or stress by eating, drinking, or spending money on fun things.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for trying to fill my heart with temporary fun. Show me that physical pleasures make a terrible god, and turn my eyes to You. Amen.
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