THE PROBLEM WITH PLEASURE

Pleasures and possessions don't offer lasting joy.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

It is time for Lent.  A time for fasting from some desired thing for forty days prior to Easter.  The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, was used to indulge in rich and fatty foods.  Literally becoming known as Fat Tuesday or in French Mardi Gras.

Many try to compensate for the hard parts of life by seeking pleasurable experiences. Or they accumulate things attempting to derive a sense of security from them.  We were intended by God to enjoy life, but when we pursue pleasures apart from God, the ultimate pleasure we seek eludes us. Only God gives us lasting joy and contentment.


Solomon gave himself permission to investigate all of the pleasures of life to see if, without God, they were as fulfilling as a life in relationship with God.  He gave himself permission to make the most of as many pleasures as he could with the goal of finding out if those luxuries could bring contentment and purpose.  He limited himself and not to let his passions get the best of him, leading to addiction or dependency. 

He looked at laughter and mirth, he looked at alcohol.  He looks at material wealth–houses vineyards, gardens and public parks.  He built reservoirs for work and pleasure.  He acquired servants and slaves to do his work.  He became a large rancher with more herds and flocks than the population of Jerusalem.  He also amassed silver, gold, popular singers, and had many women for himself.  In other words he became and experienced what most would call "the good life" and lived it up.  He found that the pursuit of all of these things resulted in futility, they were like pursuing the wind to capture it.  The world with all its pleasures would pass away.  All the toys eventually break, all the shine begins to fade.  Humans will never find purpose in the pursuit of or acquisition of stuff.

Those who commit their hearts to God and follow God's teachings will find solid footing and discover security in something–someone–permanent.  Because of the fleeting nature of wealth and possessions humans can only find meaning by letting God be the center of all they do.