You say, “If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.” You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. —Charles H. Spurgeon
There once was a king who collected.
Solomon was the most blessed man in all of history. His life was Eden on steroids. If there was ever a man who had it all, it was Solomon.
King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon … Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift – articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules. Solomon accumulated … (1 Kings 10:23-26a)
Solomon accumulated. And not just material wealth. He also accumulated women—a thousand, to be exact—even though the Lord had warned him of the spiritual consequences of such a choice.
Can you imagine being inside this king’s head? Each morning Solomon must have woken up thinking, I’m missing out. Something is missing. At some point between wife number 7 and 9, and then again between wife number 450 and 451, Solomon bought the lie that he was missing something.
Actually, let’s be honest. Solomon didn’t just buy the lie. He bought the promise behind the lie.
You’re missing out, and if you acquire what you are missing, then you’ll be satisfied.
You know people who accumulate. They have to have the latest and greatest. They are upgrading homes, trading in new cars for newer cars, and collecting gear in their garages.
Unfortunately, you know people who accumulate relationships, too. Commitment is hard. Marriage is frightening. Divorce is common. Because everyone knows that the lie comes calling, “You’re missing out. But this person will satisfy you. ”
Let’s learn from Solomon. Accumulators never find true satisfaction. It’s a cheap substitute for the abundant life of the Spirit.
God with Us, I mistakenly try to fill my emptiness with all that is hollow, and then I wonder why I still feel empty. I desire to trade in my accumulation of cheap satisfaction for the riches of Your Spirit. Fill me today, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’s tomorrow. Amen.