Mat 6:19-21 (NIV) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus, help me store my treasures up in heaven and not here on earth.

Eccl 2:20 (NIV) So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. Jesus, I can see where Solomon’s heart was. All his work had to do with what he did on this planet during his life. He was sad he couldn’t live forever here on earth and watch over his accomplishments. He could see the temporary aspects of things on earth and it gave him despair. Teach me that when I allow myself to get distracted by all the things of my body, the world, and the devil, my focus is on something very temporary and fragile.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus, help me understand that the reason Solomon’s heart began to despair was because of where his treasure was. What You are saying to me is: Mark 10:29-30 (NIV) “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

Jesus, show me that Solomon’s assignment was to build the Temple and take good care of the nation of Israel. He built the Temple and then did everything else for himself. 1 Ki 6:38-7:1 (NIV) In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it. It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.

Eccl 2:21 (NIV) For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. Jesus, help me see that Solomon forgot Who gave him his wisdom. He also forgot why he was given his wisdom. Help me not forget all the things you have and are giving me.

Jesus, help me see and understand the content of Solomon’s prayer at the beginning of his reign: 1 Ki 3:7-10 (NIV) “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. Help me know You gave him those things he asked for; he just didn’t continue to use them.

Eccl 2:22 (NIV) What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? In answer to Solomon’s question, Jesus, You tell me what I can count on as a reward for all my hard labor: Mat 18:4 (NIV) Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus, teach me that it all depends on what it is I am laboring on, what kind of methods I use, and why I am doing the labor.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus, You show me the test I will receive as my final exam: Mat 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ He also said this: Luke 22:25-26 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Eccl 2:23 (NIV) All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. Jesus, You said in John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Since there is no escaping the trouble like Solomon is going through, help me choose the trouble I get through following You.

Rom 8:17 (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. Jesus, help me see that Jacob wasn’t trying to really commit his life to God and yet he suffered all kinds of set backs, cheating, Esau wanting to kill him, and many other things. Also help me see that Moses did a tremedous work with God; he suffered accusations, grumbling, and battles; but, he not only won at life, he won in eternity. So, help me pick wanting to have trouble with You.

Eccl 2:24-25 (NIV) A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? Jesus, make me aware of the fact that this is more of Solomon’s selfishness. Make it clear to me that there were all kinds of people in his kingdom suffering. But, he decided that God wanted him to just eat and drink and enjoy his life. Help me keep in mind that he had all those resources; and, yet he couldn’t see why God allowed him to have them.

Eccl 2:26 (NIV) To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Jesus, teach me that the prosperity of God’s people doesn’t come from the wealth of the wicked. It comes from God blessing His people. Help me understand that if I allow myself to drift away from God, Satan will give me all kinds of false doctrines about God. Empower me to get my truths from the Bible.