Solomon’s Social Experiment

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Pastor Kevin Cowdrey

Calvary Baptist Church Spalding

General Sermons • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago • Presented 7 years ago • 53:47

Ecclesiastes 2:1–13

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Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 KJV 1900

1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Introduction

Illustration -Tennis star Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world, yet he was on the brink of suicide. He said, "I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed ... It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string."

Becker is not the only one to feel that sense of emptiness. The echoes of a hollow life pervade our culture. One doesn't have to read many contemporary biographies to find the same frustration and disappointment.

The successful author Jack Higgens, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: "That when you get to the top, there's nothing there."

There is no one or no thing that satisfies in this life like Jesus.

The author of the portion of scripture we have read is none other than King Solomon the Son of King David. Solomon had wealth beyond imagination.

In this day and age, he would be the equivalent of a Russian oil baron or a Saudi Arabia prince in terms of wealth. Solomon could do whatever his heart desired he had the resources and power to cater to his every whim.

Since he was an absolute monarch, Solomon could indulge in any pleasure that he desired. And he did! All the while looking for that lasting Joy that fullness of life but it all the places he looked it could not be found.

So, this morning I want to invite you to Solomon’s Social experiment.

Where the question is asked,

Interrogative Sentence - where do we find lasting joy?

Transitional - Well let's join Solomon as he begins his quest to find joy only to find that there is:

I. No Lasting Joy from Pleasures

Ecclesiastes 2:1 KJV 1900

1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

b. In the previous chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon had tried philosophy to fill the void but it had no answers no solution to his problem.

i. So now he turns to merriment out go the philosophers and in come the clowns to Solomon’s court.

c. I will prove thee with mirth; that is with those things which will cause, joy, and pleasure;

i. Maybe having a good time all the time is the answer thinks Solomon maybe if I surround myself with enough people who can make me laugh then my soul will be satisfied!

ii. Maybe if live the celebrity lifestyle pubbing and clubbing all the daylong maybe that will satisfy!

iii. Illustration – Celebrities on ok magazine, a still a snapshot that veils unhappiness and insecurity.

spaghetti westerns- false towns- facade nothing behind

d. But alas this also is shallow there is nothing to it as Solomon declares it as vanity! Its empty it is shallow there is no substance to it...

i. This also is vanity; no solid and substantial happiness in it.

Transitional – So Solomon moves on in his experiment to find there is:

II. No Lasting Joy from Provisions

Ecclesiastes 2:3 KJV 1900

3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

b. Finding himself not happy in that which pleased his fancy, he resolved next to try that which would please the palate.

i. Many give themselves to these things without consulting their hearts at all, not looking any further than merely the gratification of the sensual appetite

ii. Those that have addicted themselves to drinking did at first force it upon themselves; they drew their flesh to it

1. Illustration - of drinking when I was young

c. Solomon in his experiment with fine wine was moderate and applied wisdom but there is danger in this approach

i. Wine is a mocker and it will be impossible for any man to say that so far he will give himself to it and no further.

ii. Toying with alcohol might just take more from you than you were willing to give...

1. Illustration - RU

Transitional – Solomon, perceiving quickly that it was folly to give himself to wine then moved on to find there was:

III. No Lasting Joy from Property

Ecclesiastes 2:4–6 KJV 1900

4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

b. Solomon now attempts to plug the whole in his soul by embarking on a great public works program. The court comedians gave way to the great architects of the land!

i. So, Solomon gives himself to building, both in the city and in the

ii. So, it is with people today looking to increase their property portfolio looking to build bigger and better homes

iii. Looking to bricks and mortar to bring them lasting Joy.

c. Solomon builds exotic gardens and vineyards

i. Illustration - Chelsea flower show gardens of peace

Transitional - but again finds that no sustainable joy and peace can be found from such things and moves on to the next phase of his experiment only to find there was:

IV. No Lasting Joy from Possessions

Ecclesiastes 2:7 KJV 1900

7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

b. When Solomon decided do great works he needed many hands, and therefore procured servants and maidens, which were bought with his money, and of those he had servants born in his house,

i. The king now had a servant for every need but none could serve up his need for inner purpose and peace

c. (7b) “Also I had great possessions of great and small cattle”

i. Solomon puts his having possessions of cattle among his great works and his pleasures.

Christopher Winans, in his book, Malcolm Forbes: The Man Who Had Everything, tells of a motorcycle tour that Forbes took through Egypt in 1984 with his Capitalist Tool motorcycle team. After viewing the staggering burial tomb of King Tut, Forbes seemed to be in a reflective mood. As they were returning to the hotel in a shuttle bus, Forbes turned to one of his associates and asked with all sincerity: “Do you think I’ll be remembered after I die?”

Forbes is remembered. He is remembered as the man who coined the phrase, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” That was the wisdom of Malcolm Forbes. In fact, that was his ambition. That’s why he collected scores of motorcycles. That’s why he would pay over a million dollars for a Faberge egg. That’s why he owned castles, hot air balloons and countless other toys that he can no longer access.

The Lord Jesus Christ gave us words of superior wisdom when he said,

Matthew 16:26 KJV 1900

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

It is a fatally deficient wisdom that declares “He who dies with the most toys wins.”

Transitional - But still no fulfilment to be found so Solomon continues his foolish search to find that there was:

V. No Lasting Joy from Prosperity

Ecclesiastes 2:9 KJV 1900

9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

b. Solomon obtained massive wealth He grew increasingly rich, despite his building programme and his foolish whims... turn to

1 Kings 10:23 KJV 1900

23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

tells us “23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.”

ii. Solomon couldn’t spend his money fast enough to make a dent in his bank balance.

iii. You know there is people today like that they are living off the interest their fortune accumulates they can't spend their money fast enough they have Money to burn!!!

c. In his book Facing Loneliness, J. Oswald Sanders writes,

i. "The round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache...The millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often more unhappy than his audience."

d. So, success in this life as the world would gauge it didn’t bring the fulfilment that Solomon sought

Transitional - You see the result of each of the experiments Solomon undertook brought the same answer; each avenue Solomon went down brought him to the same dead end, to the same startling conclusion.

You see Solomon found the things of this world brought:

VI. No Lasting Joy Just Problems

Ecclesiastes 2:11 KJV 1900

11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

b. He enjoyed, more than ever any man did, he was great and increased more than all that were before him.

i. If Solomon could not find satisfaction in his unlimited riches, how can anyone else succeed?

ii. He had the funds resources and power to do what he wanted, but he couldn't find happiness.

c. There is also a word of warning to be found in Solomon’s foolish search.

i. You see Solomon thought he had his flesh under control he thought he could contain his hearts desires and keep in line with Gods will and commandments but the end result was entirely.

1. Turn with me to Deut 17:14-17, here we find God’s criteria for the King

Deuteronomy 17:14–17 KJV 1900

14 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; 15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. 16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. 17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

2. Then let’s look at 1 Kings 10:26 - 11:8 to see how Solomon shaped up

1 Kings 10:26–11:8 KJV 1900

26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. 27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. 28 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 29 And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means. 1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

d. What a fall from a man that had it all a man that thought he could control his wicked heart

i. I wonder is that you today, do think you have got a handle on things do you think you have control of you habits your secret vices, well take heed dear friend of Solomon’s example the man famous for his great wisdom.

e. Solomon fell for the world’s entrapments he was led astray by the pull of the world.

i. We must carefully avoid everything that would divert us from God.

1. Whether it be Riches, honours, or pleasures.

2. We must not let anything keep us from God.

ii. Let’s not get caught up with the distractions of this world but stayed focussed on Christ putting him first and foremost in our lives and let him provide for our needs and our wants.

Conclusion

So here we have detailed in Ecclesiastes chapter 2 vs. 1-11 Solomon’s great social experiment to find out what gives lasting joy to find that:

Ecclesiastes 2:11 KJV 1900

11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

(11) “All was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

The sad fact is that many of us believers are led by the same foolish things, distracted from the one thing that matters Christ! I want to challenge you to answer the question, where does your satisfaction come from?

Solomon had it all but it was vanity/folly, he found no lasting joy in it and neither will you!

Illustration - In 1928 a group of the world's most successful financiers met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago.

The following were present: The president of the largest utility company, The greatest wheat speculator, The president of the New York Stock Exchange, A member of the President's Cabinet, The greatest Stock Investor in Wall Street, The president of the Bank of International Settlements, The head of the world's greatest monopoly.

Collectively, these tycoons controlled more wealth than there was in the U.S. Treasury, and for years newspapers and magazines had been printing their success stories and urging the youth of the nation to follow their examples.

Twenty-five years later, this is what had happened to these men: The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, lived on borrowed money the last five years of his life and died broke.The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cutten, died abroad, insolvent. The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, served a term in Sing Sing Prison for embezzlement. The member of the President's Cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home. The greatest stock investor in Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, committed suicide. The president of the Bank of International Settlements, Leon Fraser, committed suicide. The head of the world's greatest monopoly, Ivar Drueger, committed suicide.

All of these men had learned how the way to make money, but not one of them had learned of the way of life eternal through Jesus Christ.

You can have all the world has to offer yet have nothing there is nothing of this world that can satisfy like Christ

Quote - R A Torrey once said: “There is more Joy in Jesus in 24 hrs than there is in the world in 365 days. I have tried them both.”

By way of closing Turn please to

Psalm 16:11 KJV 1900

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

David's father had the answer for Solomon, it’s in God there is fullness of joy.

Folks, keep on the path that God has set before you, find your fullness of joy in him and his purposes, for it is only in him that you will find lasting joy.