Solomon

How can I ignore this great man? Solomon: He was a trend and fashion setter in that he accumulated great wealth, robes, horses, wives,weapons, spices, mules etc. However, we can learn a great lesson form him, in that great wealth is meaningless. (There are no indications who wrote Ecclesiastes, but it was attributed to Solomon, I will just take it as such). Thus, a study of that great book will reveal what Christians know anyway... great wealth does not lead to anything but great personal challenges.

Solomon's history is recorded in 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles. These include how he accumulated "stuff" - especially 1 Kings 10:25. However he was presented with many gifts, which this passages speaks about, but he also traded in all of the above and made Israel a very rich country. One wonders where all the wealth went - well plundered by other nations and that brings me to the challenges of wealth.

The overall fashion industry is geared towards wanting more and following trends breeds envy and discontent. If Solomon could be distracted by these things, despite the warning of the prophets, how much more today when we are bombarded with images. Advertising especially plays a big part in this and will fill our minds. Like in this picture which draws on the fact that you can never have enough clothes in your cupboard (it is empty....) The following verses will help us tremendously in understanding our own thoughts and attitudes towards accumulation of wealth and thus also fashion:







Eccl 5: 11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner
except to feast his eyes on them?
Eccl 5: 15 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb,
and as he comes, so he departs.
He takes nothing from his labor
that he can carry in his hand.
Eccl 5:19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

Let's keep the latter in mind and be content with what we have.