Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
The Big Idea
Is there anything fun or pleasurable in this world that can truly satisfy the human heart? Solomon tested all of it and found nine “games” every person gets to play. None of them are bad in themselves, but none of them satisfy. Jesus offers the real version of every one, as a free gift.
Let’s Play Desert Island
You’re stranded on a desert island. You won’t die for at least twenty years, except maybe of boredom. What do you bring? One book (not the Bible, that’s cheating), one board game, one movie, one food, one album.
This life is our island. And on this island we only have nine board games to make ourselves happy. Every person in history has had the same nine. They’re not bad if used rightly, but we get bored of them. They don’t fully satisfy.
Always Searching
Think about how we chase satisfaction:
- Teenagers rebel to find fun. Middle-agers have a crisis.
- We start new jobs and quit old ones.
- We pick up habits and give them up.
- We dye our hair or change our clothes.
- We save money or spend it.
Always searching for the lottery ticket to real joy.
Why does it never work? Because “enjoying yourself” means drinking from what only the self can provide, and anything created runs out eventually, like a video game that runs out of levels.
Does this mean God doesn’t want us to have joy? The opposite. He wants us to have more joy than we thought possible, from a fountain that never runs dry.
Read: Ecclesiastes 2:1
Solomon tests his heart with pleasure: “Come now, enjoy yourself.” The verdict? This too is vanity. He uses his brilliant mind to explore what pleasure really does to us.
The Nine Board Games
1. Jokes (Ecclesiastes 2:2)
Laughter can be wonderful. It can be medicine. It can heal. It can also hurt. Solomon calls it madness.
We sometimes go to the well of laughter too often, trying to escape. But there are times laughter is the opposite of what our hearts need, like at a funeral, when we need to grieve.
Laughter can also make sin seem less sinful: laughing off a hangover, laughing at cruel words, “I was only joking.” And eventually the same jokes get old. When your heart is broken, someone making light of it is the last thing you need.
2. Alcohol (Ecclesiastes 2:3)
Solomon tried wine next. Is there a downside? Obviously. Proverbs 23:29-30 asks who has woe, sorrow, strife and bloodshot eyes: those who linger long at the wine.
Drunkenness isn’t a picture of joy. It leads to broken homes, broken bodies and regret. And it leaves us thirsty.
But there is a drink that satisfies. God invites everyone who thirsts to come and drink without money (Isaiah 55:1-2). Don’t be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Jesus stood up and called out for anyone who is thirsty to come to Him and drink (John 7:37-38).
You won’t find gain in the glass. You’ll find satisfaction in the Savior.
3. Art and Creativity (Ecclesiastes 2:4)
Solomon built houses and planted vineyards. Creativity is good. But there is always a flaw, always a limit. Next to God’s art, we’re all playing for second place.
In Christ, we don’t just see God’s art. We are His art. We are His workmanship, His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). The greatest art ever imagined is what God does through the canvas of your life: beauty, pain, love and sorrow, all redeemed by His skill. You are God’s field and God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).
4. Nature (Ecclesiastes 2:5-6)
Gardens, orchards, pools. Nature can be truly wonderful. Jesus used nature illustrations constantly because it points to God’s wisdom. But by itself, it doesn’t satisfy.
5. Money and Possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:7-8)
Servants, herds, silver, gold. Solomon had it all. Some of the richest nations on earth are also some of the unhappiest. Money can’t buy happiness. Solomon tried. It’s a game that gets boring fast.
6. Music (Ecclesiastes 2:8)
Singers and instruments of every kind. Some of us are passionate about music, listening or making it. But by itself, it doesn’t satisfy.
7. Sex (Ecclesiastes 2:8)
Solomon had many wives and concubines. When people search for meaning and intimacy outside God’s design, they find pain and emptiness, and like a drug, it leaves them wanting more. Even in a wonderful, godly marriage, which is a great gift, the couple grows old and dies. It is still a picture of the true oneness we were made for with God.
8. Affirmation (Ecclesiastes 2:9)
Fame and greatness. In the end it doesn’t matter. People get canceled. People get forgotten. The opinions of others won’t matter in the end.
9. Work (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)
Solomon denied himself nothing, and his heart enjoyed his labor. Then he looked back on it all: vanity and chasing the wind. No profit under the sun.
At the end of a long career, you get a watch and a pat on the back. Someone else always benefits from your work.
Now Look at Jesus
Jesus is greater than Solomon. And He doesn’t tell us to ignore our joy. He cares deeply about it. He wants us to have treasures that last (Matthew 6:19-21).
How do we get them? They are a free gift of grace.
Don’t look at what is seen to satisfy your spirit. Look at what is unseen and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Look at Jesus. You can’t see Him right now, because He’s seated in heaven. But so are you.
God, rich in mercy, because of His great love, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in sin, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6). By grace you have been saved:
- Completely saved.
- Never losing your place or your adoption.
- Undeservedly saved.
- United with Jesus. All free. All done. It is finished.
You have perfect acceptance, perfect access and a perfect position before God. He is happy with you. In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
So What Do We Do?
Seek the things above, where Christ is (Colossians 3:1-3). Believe Jesus is everything. Pursue Him in humility and faith. You’ll find the life that has been kept safe for you in Christ.
And here’s what He gives back for each game:
- Jokes: Jesus rejoices over you with gladness (Zephaniah 3:17).
- Alcohol: Jesus is preparing a feast to celebrate with you (Revelation 19:9).
- Art: You are His workmanship.
- Nature: He made all of creation for you to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).
- Money: He richly gives you everything, so you can give generously to others who don’t deserve it either.
- Music: He sings over you (Zephaniah 3:17).
- Sex: He is the true Bridegroom, and we are one with Him (Ephesians 5:31-32).
- Affirmation: He tells you exactly what He thinks of you: beloved.
- Work: He completes what He started in you (Philippians 1:6).
Grace Takeaway
The nine games will always run out. Jesus never does. Stop trying to squeeze satisfaction out of the island and receive the treasure He has already given you.
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