Have you ever worked tirelessly for something, convinced it would bring fulfillment—only to realize, after all your effort, that it still wasn’t enough? Solomon knew that feeling well. He didn’t just stumble into wealth and pleasure; he worked for it. He bought, gathered, and acquired more than anyone before him. Yet, in the end, it left him just as empty.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:7-8.

I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. — Ecclesiastes 2:7-8

This account is not just a list of Solomon's possessions—it’s a record of his relentless pursuit. Solomon bought slaves, had vast herds and flocks, gathered silver and gold, and got entertainers and concubines. Every verb tells the story of a man striving, building, collecting—believing that just a little more would finally bring contentment. But it never did.

And isn’t that how we live?

We hustle, we save, we upgrade, thinking the next thing will bring lasting satisfaction. We work hard to fill our lives with more, only to find that more isn’t enough. If wealth, status, and pleasure could satisfy, Solomon would have been the happiest man on earth. Instead, his achievements became his confession: No matter how much you get, it will never be enough without God.

The harder we work for what doesn’t last, the more we miss what truly matters. Solomon teaches us that even our best efforts at self-fulfillment will fail if they’re apart from God.

What are you working so hard for? Is it leading to lasting joy or temporary satisfaction? Instead of striving for things that will fade, why not strive just as hard for what lasts forever? Jesus said, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). The time and energy we spend chasing wealth and pleasure could be invested in knowing Christ, growing in faith, and storing up treasure in heaven. Work hard—but work for eternity.

#TrueFulfillment, #ChasingGodNotGold, #WorkForEternity

ASK THIS:

1. What have you been working hard for, and has it brought lasting fulfillment?
2. How does Solomon’s pursuit of wealth and pleasure compare to your own desires?
3. What does John 6:27 teach about what we should truly strive for?
4. How can you practically shift your focus from earthly gain to eternal treasure?

DO THIS:

Shift your focus from striving for temporary success to investing in what lasts—your relationship with God and His eternal kingdom.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to recognize that no amount of wealth, success, or pleasure can satisfy my soul apart from You. Teach me to labor for what truly lasts and find my fulfillment in You alone. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

One Day When We All Get To Heaven.