We have been working through the book of Ecclesiastes on Wednesday nights. It is not known as the source for inspirational thoughts for greeting cards. Solomon was at the end of his life, reflecting back on all his accomplishments. He thought about his fame, his wealth, his knowledge and his abilities and came to the conclusion that whatever is done on earth is meaningless. The old adage, “You can’t take it with you,” is just as true today as it was for Solomon.
We have a tendency to strive for recognition and fame or to work to gather up wealth and status. While the saying, “he who dies with the most toys wins,” may be a cute consumer driven philosophy, the raw truth is that he still dies. The question I want you to consider though has more to do with living.
Solomon, in all his wisdom, realized that possessions to do not bring real meaning. Only a life lived for God brings fulfillment. So our tie to possessions becomes a chain. And that chain restricts us from finding real and lasting meaning and chokes out the life God intends for us. Our focus must be on what lies beyond this life under the sun.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
May we never be so tied to possessions that our possessions chain us to a life with no meaning!
Clay in the Hands 
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