A Man Who Had it All

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” Ecclesiastes 1:2

"He has planted eternity in the human heart," Ecclesiastes 3:11

King Solomon had it all. He was the richest man who ever lived. His wealth is beyond modern imagination. Bill Gates can't touch him. He could have had anything and done anything that he wanted. Yet as he grew older he penned the words, “Everything is meaningless.” How could a man with such wealth and wisdom come to this? Didn't he have what all of us are looking for?

I think that verse 11 tells us why Solomon fell into cynicism and depression. It says that God has planted eternity in the human heart. This means that God has placed in all of our hearts a longing for eternity. That is, a longing to connect with God in worship and service. This connection gives life its meaning and direction. But Solomon got caught up in the pursuit of pleasure and riches rather than following after God. This choice caused him to die broken and cynical.

Don't waste your life as Solomon did!