Ecclesiastes 2:1-12
If unhappiness is your problem, money is not your solution. Solomon made every attempt to use money to buy happiness. He used it to buy houses and land. He used his money to buy slaves, herds, flocks, and grape vineyards. He had enough money that he could afford anything of value, but he could find no one, who could sell him happiness. As noted in the last article, he used his money to engage in every type of pleasure, to pursue every form of entertainment, and to seek out every thrill. None of this brought him purpose, meaning or happiness.
Solomon did not give up easily, and he pursued every possibility. If money cannot buy happiness, then perhaps the possession of money itself can result in happiness. Perhaps the pursuit of money and the amassing of great wealth can provide purpose and meaning to an empty life. He gave it his best attempt. He overtaxed his people and treated them as slaves. He amassed silver and gold in his own personal treasure, a treasure beyond that of Kings and providences. He had more money than he could count, he had treasure beyond measure, and it was not enough.
Solomon never found the purpose, meaning or value of money, because he never looked at it from the right perspective. His question always centered on his inner self, “What can money do for me?” You can use money to feed and clothe yourself and provide yourself shelter, but you can never use money to change your relationship with yourself. Money can never make you satisfied with whom you are, or with the life, you are living.
When we find the happiness that comes from being in right relationship with God, money takes on new meaning. “What can money do for me?” is no longer the question. We now ask, “What can I do for others with money?” When we are happy, money becomes a tool. Money has a purpose: we can use it to bless others.
Truth from the Word 