The Search For The Meaning of Life Continues...

A while back, a very successful businessman shared the following words at a conference in the U.K.:

 “As you know, I have been very fortunate in my career and I’ve made a lot of money—far more than I ever dreamed of, far more than I could ever spend, far more than my family needs…[But as he spoke, a single tear rolled down his cheek.  He continued…]  To be honest, one of my motives for making so much money was simple—to have the money to hire people to do what I don’t like doing.  But there’s one thing I’ve never been able to hire anyone to do for me:  find my own sense of purpose and fulfillment.  I’d give anything to discover that.”

Most of us cannot identify with this man.  We shake our heads and say something like: “Give me your bank account and I’ll find my purpose and fulfillment just fine!”  Isn’t this why we all run out and buy Powerball tickets?  We think that a boatload of money will make our lives more meaningful.  We believe we’ll finally be able to do the things we want to do, go the places we want to go and most importantly guarantee ourselves the peace and security we believe money will provide for us.

But, let’s look a little more deeply into what this man is really saying? 

1.       I’ve made more money than I know what to do with.

2.       I’ve used my money to keep me from doing the dirty work that most people have to do.

3.       However, my power, prestige & financial success has not given me any lasting satisfaction.

Sounds a lot like King Solomon as he looks back on his life.  He had it all, but ultimately he came to see it all as “a chasing of the wind.”  Ecclesiastes represents Solomon’s Search for the Meaning of Life.  Last week, we looked at 1:12-18 for the Meaning of Life, but we were left hanging. 

Today, Solomon continues his quest in 2:1-26.  As he challenges believers and unbelievers alike to see life for what it really is on this sin-cursed Earth, he leaves us with a glimmer of hope.  Before we get the good news, we’ve got to look at what prevents us from finding the Meaning of Life…