“What are the rewards of this life” is a question that has been pondered for at least 3000 years, and possibly longer. We know that because King Solomon asked similar questions in the book of Ecclesiastes.
The book of Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books of the bible, I have done thorough studies of it, at least, 3 times and (as with all scripture studies) come away with something new every time.
It is reasoned that the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes is King Solomon, who was chosen by God to be King. When God chose Solomon to be King, He said to Solomon “Ask what I shall give you” (1Kings 3:5 & 2 Chronicles 1:7). Of all the things that Solomon could have asked for He asked that God grant him wisdom and knowledge so that he could lead the people that God had given him to govern.
God gave Solomon what he asked for and provided him with great wisdom and knowledge. In 1 Kings 40:30 we see how vast Solomon’s wisdom and knowledge actually were. “Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt”. That’s a lot of wisdom!
Solomon begins his life as a man who loves God and is a Godly leader. But the world derails him and he doesn’t end up in such a great place. In fact if you read the book of Ecclesiastes you would find that it is quite depressing. It is from the view point of a man who has lived his life, chasing after notoriety, material possession, self gratification (in every form known) and now….in his old age, has found that it was all “vanity and chasing after the wind”. It was FUTILE.
One of the other things that Solomon really focuses on is how fleeting this life is. In Ecc. 1:2 Solomon likens our life to that of a passing mist. He says it is like trying to catch hold of breath; all vanishes like a vapor; everything is vanity.
Although this all sounds pretty depressing, it does have a more upbeat ending. Because Solomon’s wisdom reaches it’s pinnacle at the end of the book. In conclusion he says “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” Ecc. 12:13-14. He finally recognizes that life apart from God, is futile and of no benefit.
I think that we could all be accused of living a life somewhat like that of Solomon. At some point in our lives, we try to obtain everything we can, money, possessions, status, etc.. But, hopefully wisdom is attained through life experience and (if we know Jesus) through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and we realize that our rewards are not here, they are in heaven awaiting our arrival. Reward far greater than anything this life has to offer. Can I just say, there is such freedom in that revelation.
The things that we attempt to acquire in this life, those things that are not God’s will for our life, are just bondage. They cause us to desire more and more, bigger and better and for what? So that we can leave it behind for someone else when we die?
We may spend eternity in heaven worshiping God, but we have only this short life to serve God and advance the Gospel.
God gives us examples like Solomon to learn from, not to model our lives after. Let’s learn from him. He lived his life striving to fill the void in his life with earthly things and in the end, realized that God was the answer all along. And he had done little to actually serve God, very few (if any) eternal reward awaiting him.
How sad that King Solomon’s whole life was about doing, obtaining and possessing more than any other human ever had (or probably will) and there is nothing left! There is nothing left to show for his life, except the sad example of what we should not allow our lives to become.
But for those of us who know Christ as our personal savior, everything that we do for Him and every trial we endure for Him, stores up one more treasure in Heaven for us, that will last for all eternity. I believe that we have far greater riches than even Solomon.
Father God, thank you for your word. Thank you for the examples that you show us of both how to live and how not to. Thank you for the blood of Christ, that allows us to have a personal, loving relationship with You. Help us to cease every moment we can to glorify and draw closer to you.
Have you been striving for the things of this life that the world tells us we should possess and/or desire? As King Solomon showed us, those things will not satisfy and fulfill us. They just create a greater hunger for more. The only thing that can satisfy that void in each and everyone of us, is Jesus. I pray that you would seek Him with your whole heart today because God’s word tells us, in Jeremiah 29:13 that “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”. Seek God with your whole heart today.
Please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there, from the bottom of your heart. God wants a relationship with you and He is waiting for you to come to Him in repentance. He desires to forgive and give you a fresh start. Seek Him.
Once you pray that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@forgiven-n-loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Have a great day!
Luv ya!
