King Solomon sought to understand many things in life.
One of most interesting insights he had, was the discovery that understanding does not bring happiness.
In fact, he discovered the opposite. He wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:18,
“…in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.”
Someone might ask, “How can this be?” But anyone who has lived long enough to gain understanding and life experience knows that what Solomon says is true.
For instance, it is common knowledge that there are people who don’t have enough food to eat, but we’re not born with that knowledge, it’s something we learn.
As we live, our understanding increases and we learn that there are people, not only in the town that we live, but all over the world that don’t have enough food.
Because we care about people, we feel discomfort when we have an increased knowledge about the extent of human suffering in the world.
Just so you know, there is around 8 billion people in the world and 733 million of those people, or 1 in every 11, goes hungry every day.
I use this information simply to illustrate Solomon’s point, but even in the use of information to make a point, the information still has an effect.
But what about happiness? Did Solomon ever find happiness? He did, but he found it in a place that surprised him.
In fact, he discovered that finding and maintaining true happiness is something that can’t be accomplished in this life. So where did Solomon find temporary happiness in this life? He found it in work. But not just any work, but in working with God.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 says, 24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?
Whatever we do, if we do it with God, we will find the greatest happiness possible in this life until God makes all things right and we have perfect happiness in the life to come.
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
