(Ecclesiastes 1:8-10,13-18; Ecclesiastes 2:15, 2 Chronicles 1:7-12, 1 Chronicles 29:1-30, 1 Kings 11:1-24)

Beginning the path to success with Jesus but becoming too occupied with the life of success and not knowing when Jesus leaves or gets ignored… This is when the relationship with success overwhelms the relationship with Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 1:8-10, 13 KJV
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

God does not create humans for travail but humans choose travail when they leave God out of their lives and begin to “give their hearts to success instead of God”

Solomon was David’s son, he wrote Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 1:1). As successful as David was, he did not get attached to his success. He did not complain at the end of his life that his God-given successes are travails. In fact, he seemed to see his travails as the works of the enemies or lessons for greatness. But Solomon who did not experience travails said blessings are travail. This is the horror of leaving God out of one’s life!

Ecclesiastes 1:13-18 KJV 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

Unlike his father David, Solomon turned to his wise heart for wisdom and forgot about the Source of wisdom and the Beginning of his spirit of wisdom – God. What could he get from his heart? David would not only turn to God but desired to dwell in God’s presence all the days of his life.

17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

God-controlled wisdom brings fulfilment and not grief. He who gives himself to the knowledge of God has everlasting joy and not sorrow as Solomon said. If Solomon called wisdom and knowledge grief and sorrow, what should David call war, conspiracy and all the challenges he faced? What plagued Solomon was the travails of leaving God out of one’s success.

Ecclesiastes 2:15 KJV
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

Here, Solomon even questioned why he was wise. He saw his wisdom as vanity. The answers to his questions in Ecclesiastes 2:15 are found in the Bible passage below, where He asked for wisdom to lead Israel right. That was at the beginning of his reign when he had not experienced success.

2 Chronicles 1:7-12 KJV
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? 11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

Brethren, do not set your eyes on success or blessings. Solomon did so and fell. Many Christians before us did so and fell from grace. Let us learn from this. David was “eternally” successful yet never ignored God. He faithfully longs for more of God, God’s word, and presence all the days of His life (1 Chronicles 29:1-30, 1 Kings 11:1-24).

Prayer Points
1) Lord, save me from unfaithfulness before You, in Jesus name.
2) Father, save me from making success an idol, in Jesus name.
3) Lord, give me a heart that submits all successes to You, in Jesus name.
4) Father, help me to use success for Your glory and praise in Jesus name.
5) Holy Spirit, grant me power and authority over success, in Jesus name.