In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. – Ecclesiastes 7:14, King James Version (KJV)

If you feel like your life is perfect because you have everything you could ever want, you’re wrong, unless you have Christ as part of your “everything.” Just ask David and Solomon.

After years of relying heavily on God in the wilderness, David had everything. He ruled a kingdom. He was rich. He had many, many wives. But, after a time he began to focus on his earthly possessions rather than his spiritual ones, causing him to lose sight of the God who had protected him for those many, long years. When David lost sight of God, he lost the personal fulfillment that can only be found through a strong relationship with the Maker. As a result, David fell prey to the trap that we all do when we leave God behind; he tried to fulfill himself by satisfying his lusts, which is a strategy that NEVER brings fulfillment. He committed adultery with Bathsheba. He murdered Bathsheba’s husband in order to protect his reputation. And, he wrecked the rest of his life by doing so. Yes, David repented of his sin and God forgave him. But, David’s family and kingdom were riddled with unrest for the rest of his years.

Solomon, unfortunately, followed his father David’s example. He started out dedicated to God, but he later dedicated himself to his lusts. Solomon, like David, had everything, but “everything” was never enough. He always wanted more – more money, more power, more wives. Finally, as he so profoundly wrote in the Book of Ecclesiastes, he realized that life without God is vanity. Only a life in service to God has lasting meaning.

God can use anything – including prosperity – to point back to Himself. If you have everything this world has to offer, but you lack a strong relationship with God, beware. It won’t be long before you realize how empty life is without a daily walk with Christ. When you realize it, it may only be after you’ve made some very hurtful choices, as in David’s and Solomon’s cases. Why not avoid the hurt by learning from their examples rather than by making your own mistakes?