Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 - Daily Devotion - 5 March 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!”But it proved to be futile.2 I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”3 I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.4 I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.7 I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me, 8 and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.9 So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me. 10 Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.11 Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadYesterday, the Teacher considered whether having the wisdom of Solomon would enable you to do anything truly lasting and meaningful. Today he turns to consider the enormous riches and resources Solomon had at his disposal. His conclusion is: Even having all the wealth of Solomon – or of Elon Musk – won’t give you anything lasting. Pleasures only last the few short days of our lives. You can build buildings and gardens; but they will crumble. You can accumulate mountains of money or construct a huge business empire; but one day, whether it’s before or after you die, you’ll discover it was nothing more than “a pursuit of the wind” (v 11). It was futile, meaningless, all in vain. Nothing you do “under the sun” will last.It takes bravery to face the fact that one day, absolutely everything you are living for and trying to achieve will be dust. Well … unless you trust in Christ and are striving to live your life for him! In 1 Corinthians 15:58, after explaining the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over sin and death, Paul says: “Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”It’s sobering to reflect on our dreams and ambitions. Take some time to ask yourself some hard questions, before God, about your priorities and what you are putting all your energy and your hopes into. Remember that Jesus told us both, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,” and also, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:19, 33). Are you following a foolish path, or are you striving to live for Christ and his kingdom? ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister