Pleasures Don't Mean Anything.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3
1 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.

Chapter two of Ecclesiastes shows us what Soloman found on this search (you may want to read the chapter to get a better understanding). In this chapter we can see all the ways that humans find enjoyment. If we have a merry 'ole time, will we find happiness? Soloman examines the world around him to see whether this is true. Soloman gives us the details of what he experienced. Soloman motivates himself with words of enjoyment.

Next, the result is given. He said "laughter is foolish." Have you ever had a day's worth of laughing and went to bed feeling like nothing unusual had happened? He is not saying this is wrong...sure it's healthy, but it's empty. It doesn't completely fulfill us.

"So what use is it?" he asks. "Nothing" he adds. Generally, pleasure consumes resources like money, and doesn't build things up.

There may be some great things that come from pleasure. Soloman did become famous. However, contrary to belief, pleasure and fame doesn't satisfy the heart. Soloman found it. He found pleasure in all his work - but only for a moment. He says it's a waste of time (verse 26: God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind).

The bottom line is don't find pleasure from anything but from the hands of God (verse 24). Pray to God that you can find your heart's delight in God.

“Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.” ~Plato