Building Something That Lasts | Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

02/10/25 • 3 min

If you had unlimited resources, what would you build? A dream home? A business empire? Restore a car? Solomon had it all—yet when he finished, he looked around and asked, Was this worth it? His story forces us to ask: Are we building something temporary or something eternal?

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:4-6.

I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.— Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

Solomon had the resources, the power, and the vision to create whatever he desired. He built houses, cultivated vineyards, designed lush gardens, and even engineered irrigation systems to sustain his creation. On the surface, it might have looked like a kingdom of great prosperity. But beneath it all, he was left questioning its real worth and value.

Solomon’s statement reveals that no matter how grand our projects or ambitions are if they are built only for ourselves, they will not satisfy us. Notice his phrase, "I made myself." You see, we can do this too. We can pour time, money, and effort into building a dream—whether it’s a career, a home, or a legacy—but if God is not at the center, the forefront, and first in everything, then all we build is meaningless. Solomon’s wealth couldn’t buy meaning, and his accomplishments couldn’t provide lasting joy.

So, what are you building? Are you investing in the temporary or the eternal? Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). The only things that endure are those built for God’s glory. Remember: What you build won’t matter—who you build for does.

#EternalPerspective, #BiblicalWisdom, #FaithOverSuccess

ASK THIS:

What personal ambitions or goals are you pursuing most?
How do you ensure that God remains at the center of your efforts?
Have you ever achieved something significant only to feel unfulfilled?
What does storing up treasures in heaven look like in your daily life?

DO THIS:

Evaluate what you are building in life—career, family, wealth—and ask: Is God truly at the center of it?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me build my life on what truly matters—Your kingdom and Your purpose. Keep me from chasing empty pursuits and guide me to invest in the eternal. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Build My Life.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:4-6.

#EternalPerspective, #BiblicalWisdom, #FaithOverSuccess

ASK THIS:

What personal ambitions or goals are you pursuing most?
How do you ensure that God remains at the center of your efforts?
Have you ever achieved something significant only to feel unfulfilled?
What does storing up treasures in heaven look like in your daily life?

DO THIS:

Evaluate what you are building in life—career, family, wealth—and ask: Is God truly at the center of it?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me build my life on what truly matters—Your kingdom and Your purpose. Keep me from chasing empty pursuits and guide me to invest in the eternal. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Build My Life.

Previous Episode

Pleasure Never Satisfies | Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

We live in a world that tells us more is the answer—more fun, more success, more indulgence. But what if more never satisfies? Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man of his time, ran the experiment for us. He tested every pleasure imaginable—wine, laughter, entertainment—only to discover it was all meaningless.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:1-3.

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. — Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

Solomon’s Search for Satisfaction

Solomon had everything—wealth, wisdom, and power. If anyone could find fulfillment in pleasure, it was him. Yet after indulging in every desire, he called it vanity—empty and meaningless.

What’s interesting is that Solomon wasn’t reckless in his pursuit. He tried to balance pleasure with wisdom, thinking he could enjoy the best of both worlds. But in the end, even a calculated approach to pleasure led to the same dead end: dissatisfaction. Laughter was hollow, wine was fleeting, and pleasure failed to bring lasting joy.

The Modern-Day Trap

Our culture pushes the same message Solomon tested—happiness comes from chasing the next thrill. A bigger paycheck, the latest gadget, an endless stream of entertainment. But like Solomon, we eventually hit the wall. No matter how much we consume, the hunger for more never goes away.

That’s because we weren’t designed to be satisfied by temporary things. True fulfillment isn’t found in chasing pleasure—it’s found in pursuing God. When He is our focus, everything else falls into place.

An Invitation to Lasting Fulfillment

Maybe you’ve been running after pleasure, success, or approval, only to feel emptier than before. The good news is you don’t have to keep chasing something that will never satisfy. Jesus invites you to stop striving and find true rest in Him.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). He alone fills the emptiness in our souls.

If you’re tired of the endless pursuit of more, turn to Jesus today. Admit that nothing in this world can truly satisfy, and place your trust in Him. Surrender your life to Him, and you will find the purpose, peace, and fulfillment you’ve been searching for.

If you’re ready to take that step, pray:

“Jesus, I’m done chasing things that don’t satisfy. I turn from my sin and surrender my life to You. Be my Savior, my Lord, and my greatest joy. Fill me with Your presence and lead me in Your purpose. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, let us know. Write "I choose Jesus" in the comments below. Our team and family is going to be praying for you.

#TrueFulfillment, #EcclesiastesWisdom, #JesusFills

ASK THIS:

What pleasures have you pursued that left you feeling empty?
Why do you think Solomon called pleasure “vanity” despite his wisdom?
How does our culture convince us that more success or indulgence will satisfy?
What would it look like for you to pursue God instead of temporary pleasures?

DO THIS:

Pause and reflect—are you chasing temporary pleasures? Take a moment to pray and realign your focus on God.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I recognize that nothing in this world truly satisfies. I turn to You as my source of joy, purpose, and fulfillment. Fill me with Your presence and lead me in Your ways. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Jesus My Everything.

Next Episode

Why It’s Never Enough Without God | Ecclesiastes 2:7-8

Have you ever worked tirelessly for something, convinced it would bring fulfillment—only to realize, after all your effort, that it still wasn’t enough? Solomon knew that feeling well. He didn’t just stumble into wealth and pleasure; he worked for it. He bought, gathered, and acquired more than anyone before him. Yet, in the end, it left him just as empty.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:7-8.

I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. — Ecclesiastes 2:7-8

This account is not just a list of Solomon's possessions—it’s a record of his relentless pursuit. Solomon bought slaves, had vast herds and flocks, gathered silver and gold, and got entertainers and concubines. Every verb tells the story of a man striving, building, collecting—believing that just a little more would finally bring contentment. But it never did.

And isn’t that how we live?

We hustle, we save, we upgrade, thinking the next thing will bring lasting satisfaction. We work hard to fill our lives with more, only to find that more isn’t enough. If wealth, status, and pleasure could satisfy, Solomon would have been the happiest man on earth. Instead, his achievements became his confession: No matter how much you get, it will never be enough without God.

The harder we work for what doesn’t last, the more we miss what truly matters. Solomon teaches us that even our best efforts at self-fulfillment will fail if they’re apart from God.

What are you working so hard for? Is it leading to lasting joy or temporary satisfaction? Instead of striving for things that will fade, why not strive just as hard for what lasts forever? Jesus said, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). The time and energy we spend chasing wealth and pleasure could be invested in knowing Christ, growing in faith, and storing up treasure in heaven. Work hard—but work for eternity.

#TrueFulfillment, #ChasingGodNotGold, #WorkForEternity

ASK THIS:

What have you been working hard for, and has it brought lasting fulfillment?
How does Solomon’s pursuit of wealth and pleasure compare to your own desires?
What does John 6:27 teach about what we should truly strive for?
How can you practically shift your focus from earthly gain to eternal treasure?

DO THIS:

Shift your focus from striving for temporary success to investing in what lasts—your relationship with God and His eternal kingdom.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to recognize that no amount of wealth, success, or pleasure can satisfy my soul apart from You. Teach me to labor for what truly lasts and find my fulfillment in You alone. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

One Day When We All Get To Heaven.