“Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had one And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” (vs10-11)

Solomon tried every desire of his heart, and he found it empty and vain, because God’s created us to serve Him, and we cannot find satisfaction in rebellion against Christ. The devil, in the beginning, deceived us with promises of fulfillment through doing our own will, and it is still the same today - “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:4-5). He tempted the Jews in Haggai’s day to build their own houses and neglect God’s house, which led to their loss and frustration. The tower of Babel is man’s independence of God, and yet they’re cast down for rebellion, scattered, and peace is non-existent. It was the same in Jesus’ day. Sinners were converted from empty lives, failure to walk with God, and the blind were given sight.

God’s grace alone satisfies because God alone can fill us within. We are lost without Him, chasing the wind, and we’re seeking satisfaction where there is none. God would deny Himself, if He rewarded such behavior! It cannot be. We cannot ignore God and find pleasure in the world that He created. He has the blueprint for us, and He lets Solomon spin his wheels, so that we may learn. Be wise, therefore, whether you’re young or old. You will never find anything higher or better than God, and it is only by Him that you can enjoy anything on earth, in thanksgiving and holiness (1 Tim 4:1-5). Grace has saved you from sin, and says, “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). Is it impossible to serve ourselves and have peace.

Secondly, when you factor in death, what does it matter if you gain more than others? Your achievements won’t keep you from the grave, and you will die in the same way as the fool: you must leave ALL earthly exploits behind for someone else (vs12-17). He said, “So I said in my heart, ‘As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, ‘This also is vanity.’ For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool! Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” It is vain to acquire human wisdom because you’ll go to the same grave as the fool. Like Solomon found out, you’ll learn, “What have I gained? What good has this knowledge done for me?” Human pursuits are empty because death makes every ambition, except Christ, meaningless. You’ve raised your children, but you won’t live with them forever. You’ve achieved coveted titles, but they won’t comfort you in the grave, so surely, there is a higher purpose than human achievement!

We must find peace in God who is eternal, and He will remember our deeds beyond the grave and reward us accordingly. We must labor eternal things in the salvation of others! There is fulfillment, but human wisdom stops at death and proves that everything non-eternal is soon to be left behind, and thus, meaningless and unsatisfying to the dying.

Finally, it is vain to disobey God because everything you gain will be given to those who obey Him (vs26). “For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God, this also is vanity and grasping for the wind”. You may start a business, but you’ll employ ONE godly person, or you’ll make computers so that the gospel can be preached around the world. There will be no fulfillment in your labors, but God’s elect, because God rules everything, will reap what you have sown and will benefit from what you spent your life acquiring. If there is gold in South Africa, then it is for believer’s in Alaska and everywhere else. If there is a scientific discovery, then believers are helped and God’s elect are saved. Whatever happens on earth is for God’s people, and to be outside of Christ means that everything is against you and will be taken away. This is hard language, but it is true! The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and sinners exist for the welfare of saints.