“She’s so lucky, she’s a star. But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking ‘If there’s nothing missing in my life then why do these tears come at night?’” (Brittany Spears, Lucky). Many believe Brittany Spears wrote Lucky about her own struggle living in the limelight. Lucky was unhappy, even though she was extremely successful and wealthy.
We inherently know that money doesn’t satisfy. But we usually live as if it does. When we admire others or even value them because they have a lot of money, we are living out the lie that money buys happiness. When we strive or feel pressure to make more money in order to attain a higher level of satisfaction, we are living out that lie. But how do we live any other way? Solomon, the wealthiest man who ever lived has something to say on that.
“I became greater by far than anyone…In all this my wisdom stayed with me…I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes2:9-11).
Jesus is the only thing that can actually bring true or lasting joy. But how quickly we forget! And how often do we see others pursuing happiness from material things and fail to offer them the hope that only Jesus brings? I often think the answer to any problem I face is a product I must buy. I have even offered to friends products to solve their problems, or books. But products don’t solve problems. Only Jesus does. But how do we live that out?
I have been studying the book of Ecclesiastes and a few key points have become clear.
1. Enjoy Your Work. We are to find joy in our work. In other words, we are to look for a vocation in which we use our gifts and find joy and meaning. It might pay well, but it might not. Yet it clearly needs to pay enough to cover our living expenses. God has made it clear through His Word that finding some fulfillment through our work matters. Howard Hendricks, a well known professor, teacher, and preacher trained many leaders of today. His son tells of his father coming home late from a long work trip, only to get up early the next morning to go give another talk, with joy (Hendricks, The Person Called You, 2014). What would leave many exhausted, invigorated one living out his gifts.
“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).
2. Enjoy your Life. We are also to find enjoyment simply through living each day. I am tempted when waiting in line to maximize that time by checking messages on my phone. Does that not sound silly or what? How can you maximize your life by checking a phone that does not give you life? Instead, I am allowed and encouraged by the Lord, to look at a tree He has created, sit and meditate on His Word, talk to another human in person in line with me, get in touch with my emotions, think, feel. Those things bring us life too. Try to sit and enjoy drinking a cup of coffee, without looking at your phone. Play with your kids. Let loose. Hug a friend. Read a book. Go for a run (or whatever form of exercise you do). Spend time with those you love. Cook a good meal and enjoy it! These are Biblical things the book of Ecclesiastes says to do daily.
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God” (Ecclesiastes 2:24).
3. Remember, Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness. More money and more possessions will not satisfy. Yet, having money and possessions, if God given, is OK. The point is that money and possessions, or prestige and position should never be our goal. In spiritual terms, those things should never be our god. Only the One true God should be our God. And frankly, He’s the Only One who can! He’s the only Being who can actually deliver what we are ultimately seeking. Be it acceptance, to be noticed, to be heard, to be loved/admired/adored, to be respected, to be valued, or something else. Only the God who knows us fully can truly fill the deepest longings of our hearts.
So what do we do? We follow God. We work hard. We play hard. That’s it. Let your Creator lead you where you need to go in order to invite the most joy into your life. Few things are more satisfying in life than the feeling of a job well done after a hard day’s work. “The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). We sleep better, when we work. Yet all work and no play made Jack a dull boy, as the saying goes. Therefore, we must also “play” and enjoy life and the good gifts God has given us. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
If the good Lord has enabled you to make money and have possessions, praise Him and enjoy them. If He has not, praise Him and enjoy the life He has allowed you to have. Find joy in your work and in your everyday life. Yet realize that true joy only can be found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Seek the Lord for ultimate fulfillment and joy. If you feel like your life is missing joy today, pray to allow the Lord to infuse your life with joy and meaning, as only He can. Amen!