Pursue More than Wealth and Power - Ecclesiastes 3-4

 Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 (ESV)

Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, is in pursuit of the meaning of life.   He is striving after something that will give Him meaning and understanding of the important things of life.   We have to remember that Solomon was rich enough to pursue whatever he wanted to pursue.  He was powerful enough to not deny himself any pleasure, adventure or enterprise that he so wanted.   That is what makes this journey for the meaning of life so powerful.  You can write about finding the meaning of life if you have the meanest to leave no rock unturned.    

In the above passage we read just one more conclusion has has drawn from this search.  Solomon has stated that the person who decides to remain alone, no wife or family to be obligated to, cannot find meaning of life in his toil, no matter what the volume of that hard work.   One of the great privileges we have is to work hard for the ones we love.    Solomon states in the above verses that what good is it to deny yourself pleasure (and work hard) if you have no one to share the fruit of your labor?   

Solomon is checking off the boxes as to what is vanity and simply chasing the wind.  Those who decide to live alone, be obligated to no one and to acquire wealth and power, are, according to Solomon, simply living a vain life.  He states boldly that this, too, is vanity under the sun.  God has designed the meaning of life and Solomon will summarize it at the end of this book.   But, one thing is sure in his mind, pursuing wealth and power, just to pursue wealth and power, is vanity under the son.   The only thing that matters is:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.