Michael lived in bustling Manhattan, NYC, where skyscrapers pierced the heavens and lights blazed like stars. At the age of thirty-five, he was a legend in the world of Wall Street. He had risen from a poor upbringing to the very top of his field, becoming a self-made billionaire by the time most of his peers were still figuring out their careers.
To outsiders, Michael was the epitome of success. He owned a penthouse on Fifth Avenue, drove a collection of sports cars, and was often seen in the company of supermodels and celebrities. Michael’s life was a relentless pursuit of more: more women, more money, more power, more prestige, and more recognition. The newspapers hailed him as a “financial prodigy,” a man who could turn anything he touched into gold. The world envied him, admired him, and even feared him. However, amidst all the champagne toasts and applause, Michael never noticed the silence that grew louder within him.
When Michael was young, he vowed never to be poor like he was in his youth. However, as he grew older, the successes that once defined him became mere numbers on a screen. He began to realize that he had no one to share his victories with—no one who truly cared about the man behind the wealth. His mother had passed away years ago, and he had no siblings or family to speak of. The few friends he had were more interested in his wallet than his well-being.
One day, as he was walking through Central Park, he noticed an elderly man sitting on a bench, feeding pigeons. The man had a serene quality to him. He seemed content, even though he wore tattered clothes and displayed none of the wealth Michael was accustomed to. Driven by a sudden impulse, Michael approached the man and struck up a conversation.
“How can you appear so…happy?” Michael asked, bewildered by the old man’s calm demeanor.
The man smiled with a twinkle in his eye and said, “Happiness isn’t found in things. It’s found in the One who created all things.”
Michael paused. “What do you mean? Are you talking about God?”
The old man nodded. “I lost everything once—my family, my home, my health, and my wealth. However, in losing everything, I found the one thing that mattered most. I found a ‘right relationship’ with God. When you have that, you realize that everything else is just…temporary.”
Michael scoffed, shaking his head. “God? I’ve spent my entire life building an empire. I’ve earned every cent I have. God had nothing to do with it.”
The old man’s smile never wavered. “You may have built an empire, but can you take it with you when you’re gone? Your empire won’t save you when you kneel before God, my friend. Wealth and success are cruel masters. They blind you to the one thing that truly matters. And in the end, they leave you with nothing.”
Years passed. Michael’s wealth grew, but his health began to fail. The years of stress and sleepless nights took their toll. One morning, he collapsed in his penthouse, clutching his chest. The paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital, but there was little they could do. He was alone in his sterile hospital room when he realized he was dying.
As he lay there, hooked up to machines, he thought back to the old man in the park. A sudden, terrifying thought gripped him: What if the old man was right? What if there was more to life than wealth and success? What if I’ve spent my entire life chasing the wrong things?
In his final moments on earth, he tried to pray but realized he didn’t know how. He had lived his entire life without God, and now, at the end, he was a stranger to the very One who could save him. As the light faded from his eyes, the machines flatlined, leaving only a cold, empty silence. Michael, the man who had it all, died alone. His death made headlines for a day, but the world quickly moved on.
In the end, he learned too late that success without meaning, wealth without love, and a life without a right relationship with God was, in the end, meaningless.
Listen Closely: Like Solomon and Michael, many people today chase after things they believe will bring them fulfillment—success, wealth, position, pleasure, power, and knowledge. These are all empty pursuits. Solomon’s words serve as a timeless reminder that life’s true meaning isn’t found in worldly achievements or pleasures but in a “right relationship” with God through His Son, Jesus.
In the final chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon concludes with a profound statement:
“Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Ultimately, the message of Ecclesiastes is not one of despair but a call to wisdom: to live your life with the end in mind. Recognize that a life lived for temporary things is futile and “meaningless,” but a life lived for Jesus is full of purpose. Above all else, finish life well!
