When we decide to take a trip somewhere, we usually make plans to get there. Book a flight, make a reservation for a hotel or get tickets to some type of event. All of this leads to our objective of getting what we want. The fruit of our labor is reaching our goal.
The richest man who ever lived had things come easy to him. He had all of the finest things in life, hundreds of concubines and wives and palaces all over the country. Yet the reason he was able to attain these things was not because he set his mind to achieving them but because he asked God for the one thing so few ask for; Wisdom.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3:5
Solomon's reply
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9
Solomon asked for a discerning heart. This was music to God's ears. God did fulfill his request but gave him so much more. After attaining all he had, he took a moment to reflect on it all and surmised it was all chasing after the wind.
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. Ecclesiastes 2:11
The entire book of Ecclesiastes is Solomon groaning about all that he has and that it is meaningless. So what are we to learn from the richest and smartest man born of man and woman? Nothing but instead learn from the smartest man born of God.
Jesus teachings were not meaningless. His goals and ambitions were completely opposite from Solomon's.
If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Luke 2:29
Do you know anyone who does this today? hmm probably not.
We throw people in jail for stealing and we want payment for anything someone asks of us. This is not the way of Jesus but the way of Solomon. We saw how miserable he was.
Jesus gave all the way to His death on the cross and was blessed with more wisdom than Solomon. Jesus efforts were not chasing after the wind but something we will celebrate forever.
Jesus taught us to love, not to know right from wrong. Through love, we will know what is right as we love ourselves so shall we love others. We would not cheat ourselves or take from our self. We would not murder our reputation or speak ill of ourselves. We would not shame ourselves or treat our bodies unkindly. Do unto others as you would do unto yourself, Jesus taught. This is not chasing after the wind. This is a good effort that will bear much fruit, if we love one another.
Don't be like Solomon and chase after those things that eventually moth and weather will destroy. You can't take it where you are going anyway and why would you? Chase after those things that will yield an abundance in the eyes of God and prepare the way for others to understand what you do. Instead of becoming the richest person in the world, become the most joyful knowing your future has already been secured and you can show others how theirs can be as well.
