A Bucket of Pleasure, A Bucket of Money

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2 years ago

Do we ever have enough of anything in this life? What makes us happy? We see a lot of articles here on read.cash about how to be happy. As far as I am concerned, they really miss the mark.

We think if we could simply climb one more rung up the success ladder of life, it is then that we could truly find lasting happiness. But that never happens, does it? Admit it. There is always something else we desire and then another and another. Sooner or later, we have to recognize that absolutely nothing material in this world is going to satisfy our hearts. Nothing.

Remember King Solomon?

Three thousand years ago, there was a man who made it to the very top rung of the ladder of success. His name was Solomon, and he was the third king of Israel and the richest man of his time. He had hundreds of wives and concubines, impressive achievements inclusive of the Temple and his personal palace (which was better than the Temple God asked him to build), and all the pleasures he could possibly ever want.

He was one of the few decent kings of Israel, the Elon Musk of his day if you will. Can you imagine having all of that wealth at your immediate disposal? I know that is what many people desire. We read about it all the time here on the platform. Years ago I was one of them.

I thought to myself, "If I could only win the 350 million lottery! Wow, babe" I told my wife, "I'd buy you that fancy 3-bedroom condo in Bonifacio Global City, and I's buy myself a new black (or red) Lamborghini."

But I finally realized that happiness came and went on a continuous basis, and that nothing lasted forever but joy. See, there is a big difference between happiness and joy. Joy is always there in one's heart no matter what situation one faces, whereas happiness is a roller coaster of emotions that can change in a flash depending on our circumstances.

The King wakes up

Like the king, one day I came to the realization where, "I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

During our lives we have an opportunity to choose to be like King Solomon or we can choose to have otherwise. Our happiness does not have to depend on our circumstances.

A question and an answer

How is it that we are ever seeking after some new pleasure, some new accomplishment, some new source of money that creates wealth, only to be really disappointed in the end? Well, here's the answer! It is simply because we eternal beings can only be satisfied by that which is eternal.

Think about it

The Lord our God has put an abundance of eternity in our hearts. Yet here we are, always trying to fill our heart one bucket at a time: a bucket of money here, a bucket of pleasure there, a bucket of accomplishment over there.

But if we stop and consider this futile pursuit, we should really wonder why we are not getting anywhere close to the lasting happiness that we constantly seek.

The solution

In order to find true fulfillment and joy in our lives, we absolutely require an eternal purpose. Let me ask you, what could be more eternal than teaming up with God in carrying out His purposes? You see, the key to fulfillment in our lives is carrying out the mission of God by bringing people into His eternal kingdom. God created us to do His will and fulfill His purposes for His pleasure.

Ponder this. What will it take you to understand the fact that happiness is fleeting and that apart from God there is no joy?

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2 years ago

Comments

No one but God could give people enduring euphoria, Satan doesn't have anything great to give. We can just find the genuine importance of Joy in His quality, everything in this world will die, however not his assertions.

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2 years ago

Thanks for reading, Faith. What we know is that God is good all the time.

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2 years ago

No matter what we do and how wealthy we become, nothing can really satisfy us but the Lord God. We can only find tge true meaning of Joy in His presence. Eveyrthing in this world will perish, but not His word.

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2 years ago

hello dear friend con you hellp us iam new hear platfrom con you gaid me

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2 years ago

People are driven by material things. Well, it's not a crime but we shouldn't make it our source of happiness or joy. You have said all that needs to be said.

Looking forward to the things that put your heart at peace with God, should be a thing of utmost priority. Because he is the only one that can fill that void of emptiness. Thanks for sharing the WORD.

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2 years ago

Always welcome. I've lost so many material things before it rarely bothers me any longer.

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2 years ago

Both are necessary for us to live in this world because now a Days when You have a Money then you have a great day for you to get necessary things And pleasure make you internal SatisFacation and give you more confident

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2 years ago

Nicely explained

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2 years ago

Thank you. Some people just don't get it and never will.

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2 years ago

You've really hit the nail on the head, the main reason why people work hard is to accumulate wealth, everyone wants to be as rich as Elon musk or even richer but only if they can see what king Solomon saw, then they'd reconsider why he said Vanity upon Vanity, all is vanity

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2 years ago

It took me 30 years to recognize this fact.

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2 years ago

If we were happy all the time it too would be meaningless.

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2 years ago

Precisely my point which you picked up on.

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2 years ago

Thanks for noticing.

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2 years ago

Correct. I just read a new post on happiness and wow was it ever wrong. Happiness from music? The person forgot that music can make one sad as well. Oh, well, to each their own.

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2 years ago

I saw it and stopped reading half way through.

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2 years ago

I want to read King Solomon's books, i'm still looking for a good find but to no avail. But who wouldn't want to have a bucket of money? I want one, to have a very good excuse not to work anymore, hahaha! Your title actually reminded me of a local tv drama in the 90s, "si goat d wanderpol", -a bucket full of coins.

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2 years ago

I was referring to the books Solomon wrote in the Biblle. You may find commentaries on the books (verse by verse or thought for thought) on the free book website PDF Drive.

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2 years ago

Yes I am aware and got myself an audio book for the whole book , "Bible". But there is the "songs of solomon" right? it really just got me interested. good morning!

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2 years ago

Good morning. Yes, Song is a love story. Check it out.

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2 years ago

yes, i planned to but still looking. thanks.

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2 years ago

It took me a long time to understand Solomon's books but at least now I have a general idea of them. Proverbs are good too but hard to figure out at times.

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2 years ago

That's fine. Grab a good commentary to help yourself out. They can really assist in learning as the Holy Spirit provides guidance.

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2 years ago

Downloaded several on the PDF Drive website.

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2 years ago

My seminary professors are always suggesting various commentaries so I have downloaded perhaps 20-25 of them. Lots of reading!

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2 years ago

That is a heck of a lot of reading! But beneficial.

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2 years ago

True, but I only refer to them when needed. I have read a couple to the end and took notes along the way.

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2 years ago

I hear you. The Holy Spirit assists us with our understanding.

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2 years ago

That He certainly does. Pray before reading and studying.

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2 years ago

Definitely. As I read I may stop (usually do) and pray about something that pricks my heart

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2 years ago

Likewise. There is so many things to pray about, thus the Scripture states we should "pray without ceasing."

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2 years ago

Wise words from the Lord.

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2 years ago

Only God could give humans lasting joy, the devil has nothing to good to give

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2 years ago

Satan promises a lot but you're right - it is all a lie.

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2 years ago