What Earthly Success Looks Like

The book of Ecclesiastes can seem pretty depressing until you understand the context. A common theme throughout is “All is meaningless.” Written by King Soloman, he takes account of all the things this world had to offer him. He was rich. He was wise. He built the greatest, most costly and detailed temple of that time. He was a king. He could have and do anything he absolutely wanted. Our verse today focuses on how he built and grew things. Imagine someone who planned and designed an entire city. Someone who has more silver and gold and power than they know what to do with - that was Soloman. He experienced earthly wealth and success. He had everything he wanted at his fingertips. What the world would call “winning the lotto”, but it still didn’t satisfy. He notes throughout the book all these things are meaningless. No amount of money, power, or prestige will ever fill the God sized hole we all have in our hearts. The world screams at us from every direction MORE MORE MORE! More money, more things, more vacations, more friends, then…. just then… we might be happy. This is what we call earthly success and thankfully we have Soloman’s life experience to know that it’s not all it's cracked up to be.

What's your definition of success? Heavenly success looks like salvation in Jesus Christ. Loving others well. Sacrificial service for the kingdom. Telling the world about Jesus. That’s what it’s all about. Those things are full of meaning and purpose! And friend, once you start doing those things you’ll feel a greater accomplishment and satisfaction than this world could ever offer you. Take it from King Soloman, what you're chasing after won’t ever be enough. Stop the “chase” today, and let a life transformed by the gospel be your new definition of success.