Should We Just Enjoy Ourselves?
The world tells us that we will be satisfied by indulging in its pleasures. Each day we are met with the temptation to find fulfillment in entertainment, alcohol, work, possessions, and whatever else we desire. But will the pleasures of this world really satisfy us? The author of the book of Ecclesiastes answers this question. In fact, he himself tested whether the heart can be satisfied by indulging in self-pleasure.
The book of Ecclesiastes is considered one of the wisdom books of the Old Testament. In it the covenant Lord addresses His covenant people, giving them wisdom for life. The book mentions God’s name throughout, attributing everything good as a gift from His hand. Ultimately, the book anticipates and reveals the one “who became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:20).
The Holy Spirit inspired the author (the Preacher) to write a book that teaches people their duty in the midst of life in a broken world and reveals where true delight is found. The Preacher does not shy away from complex and difficult circumstances and questions, but instead continually brings hard things to mind, things we would rather not talk about. By facing the brokenness of this world head on, he gives us a compass to navigate tough times and permission to enjoy pleasant ones. He understood that “the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:20-21).
In Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 the Preacher speaks to the vanity of living for self-pleasure. He tested whether the pleasures of this world would truly satisfy. Would indulgence in things that bring momentary delight also bring lasting satisfaction? He discovered the answer was No. Would laughter satisfy? No, glee doesn’t last. Would wine satisfy? No, alcohol can’t bring lasting gain. Would work, like building houses and planting vineyards, bring ultimate fulfillment? No, work also failed to satisfy him. What about possessions? No, they didn’t prove to bring contentment either. What about treasures, like silver and gold? No, these brought no lasting delight. Not even music could satisfy the hole in his heart. Although the Preacher “became great and surpassed all who were before [him] in Jerusalem” and his “wisdom remained” and he allowed his “eyes” to have whatever they wanted, and his “heart” whatever pleasure it craved, and kept his “hands” busy working, “there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (2:9-11).
The things the Preacher mentions are the same things in which we try to find satisfaction today—laughter, wine, work, possessions, treasure, and music. The Preacher warns us that these things will not ultimately fulfill us. Israel learned this the hard way when they “hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water” and went into exile because they had “forsaken” the Lord, “the fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:13). The people of Jesus’s day also needed to be reminded to “lay up…treasures in heaven” and to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:20, 33). Likewise, you and I need to remember to seek fulfillment in our relationship with the Lord.
While there is nothing wrong with laughter, wine, work, possessions, treasure and music, if it is done “to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31), it is imperative we remember these pleasures bring no lasting satisfaction. In fact, they can easily become idols that ensnare us, tempting us to find satisfaction in the creation instead of the Creator. Even so, we were created to pursue at least some of them, especially work, to the glory of God. We are to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
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Have you found yourself bowing to the pleasures of this world recently? Do you wonder if you should just enjoy yourself and indulge in things like wine or possessions? Be wise. The Bible says such pleasures bring no lasting satisfaction. None will ultimately fulfill you. It is pointless to try and find happiness in the things of this world. Instead, recall the Creator of the creation and seek to find contentment in Him alone.
