Nothing New under the Sun

This is a little long, but stick with me, because its a good one!

On Sunday, our pastor was teaching from the book of Ecclesiastes, and two verses practically jumped off the page:

“What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.”
— Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

That phrase—nothing new under the sun—really hit me. It reminded me of something I read years ago in a parenting book. The author opened with a letter from a frustrated parent who was fed up with “young people today” and their lack of manners, respect, and responsibility. The kicker? That letter was written over a thousand years ago.

It’s a humbling realization: what we think is brand new—our culture, our struggles, our frustrations—is actually not new at all.

Sin isn’t new. Confusion, rebellion, pride—they’ve all been around since the Garden. From the moment Adam and Eve were given the gift of free will, humanity has been wrestling with the same choices: do I follow my own way or do I follow God?

That choice still stands. I either choose sin… or I choose to follow Christ. And it’s not about checking off boxes or looking spiritual—it’s about living by eternal standards, not human ones.

As I continued reading Ecclesiastes, I was struck by how Solomon, in all his wisdom and wealth, wrestled with these same thoughts. He built palaces, collected treasures, surrounded himself with every pleasure imaginable—and still came up empty. In Ecclesiastes 2:1–11, he reflects on how everything he chased after “under the sun” had no lasting value. Not because those things were inherently bad—but because they weren’t eternal.

He realized that one day, all his accomplishments and possessions would be passed on. And what if those who inherited them were fools? What then?

It’s a question we still face today. We work hard, collect “stuff,” and often live like the bumper sticker says: “He who dies with the most toys wins.”

But does he?

Jesus offered a different perspective in Matthew 6:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:19–21

This isn’t just about donating money or volunteering more—it’s about where your heart is.

Think of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to give away his possessions and follow Him. The man walked away sad because he wasn’t willing to let go of his “stuff” to embrace a relationship with God. He faced the same decision Solomon did. The same one we all do. And he chose… poorly.

Solomon, after all his searching and wandering, lands the book of Ecclesiastes with this conclusion:

“Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

At the end of the day, it’s always been about our relationship with God. That’s not new. That’s eternal.

So before you chase more, buy more, or worry more, take a step back and ask yourself: Where is my treasure? Where is my heart?

Because while the world keeps spinning and history keeps repeating…
God’s truth remains unchanged.
There really is nothing new under the sun.

With Joy,