Solomon had everything and was in constant despair. Paul had nothing and had learned "in whatever state he was" to be content. Who was the winner here?
Paul lists the trials he had been through in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. His was an extraordinary ordeal. Paul suffered for the gospel. His goal was to preach and teach Christ.
Solomon's was an inward focus. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us a sad tale. All that Solomon did was to satisfy his slightest whim. He built, destroyed, invested, and sold his investments, yet he didn't find satisfaction. All was vanity.
Who was the winner? Who accomplished God's will for his life? Whose life was worth living?
I would say that each man left his mark on Bible history. Both men had successes, and both had their challenges. The wisest man in history made tremendous blunders. Paul considered himself less than ordinary, yet he wrote a third of the New Testament Scriptures. Solomon, like Mick Jagger, couldn't find satisfaction. Paul learned to be content in prison.
We know virtually nothing about Paul's financial situation and much about Solomon's. Thus we see that money had little to do with happiness or the lack of the same.
In the end, what mattered the most to both was their relationship with their creator. At the end of their lives, they could both say that God was the most crucial part of their existence.
Thus the lesson for me. What I do here during my life is important only as I recognize this vital factor, God is above all essential things in life. My relationship with him is a matter of the highest importance.
Father, help me to focus on you today. Please help me to do what you want me to do. Guide me this day in all that I do. Help me to be content in Your will.
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