Sunday Sermon Nugget

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure"; but surely, this also [was] vanity.

I said of laughter -- "Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

I searched in my heart [how] to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.

I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all [kinds] of fruit trees in them.

I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.

I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, [and] musical instruments of all kinds.

So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

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 done 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.

One of the wisest men who ever lived...

Tried everything of the world...

partying
gratifying flesh
drinking
working for acquisitions
gaining wealth
gardens
homes
vineyards
orchards
herds
flocks
pools
servants

Whatever his eyes desired, he acquired.

Withheld no pleasure from his heart.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done 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.

You don't need wealth
You don't need stuff
You don't need status.
They are VANITY!
They are FOLLY!

You ONLY need Him!

So, what are YOU living for?