Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 - Pursuing Contentment

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Message: Pursuing Contentment

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

This message is entitled contentment, which for me, is a difficult concept. I am not sure what it means to be content. I think I know what it means from an economic stance. I need to be content with what God has provided me and not feel like I need more. In fact, it seems like in life, the more I have the worse off I am. Every time I get a raise, the money is gone before I know it, being spent on other commitments.

But, contentment in life, on a time standpoint, as far as what I spend my time on, is also difficult. In my present job I could easily stay at work all night, but I know that I need to leave the office and get home. At home, I wonder how much time each day should really be spent in relaxation, sitting in front of a screen watching something. That is where I struggle to this day, often not real satisfied with just sitting in front of a TV, so I can get through such and such TV show that my wife and I have decided we like. I think about reading a book instead during that time or even doing a Bible Study. I think about the early days of dating and courting and how much time was spent in the Word, and now, it happens individually, but not very often as a couple.

In my TableTalk, the write-up begins with this idea of seeking contentment or balance in our lives.

The Preacher here in verse 4 brings up an interesting point to begin by stating, "every labor and every skill which is done is rivalry between a man and his neighbor." To me, he may be using this to set up a point because I am not sure this is the focus of man, but rather there is the potential of man to think that his work is basically the result of envy and we work because we want something better than our neighbor. I think I work hard to work for the Lord and provide for my family. Sure, there are times when I think my providing isn't enough and that "isn't enough" thought often is there because I look out on the landscape at other people and what they have been able to provide for their families and immediately, I think what I am doing is not good enough (and yet more is not always what I think is needed, but rather the right balance).

After this statement he remarks that this is vanity and striving after wind. This makes sense, if our desire is simply to do better than our neighbor then this is a losing battle. We will never be satisfied and even if we think we are accomplishing it, what does it matter, but temporal enjoyment.

So, that is the laborer, but then the Preacher mentions the fool or the lazy man. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. The fool does nothing but sit idly. This is the person that equally disturbs me. This is the person that seems content to live off the government or their parents or both. If given the opportunity this person is going to do whatever it takes to basically do thinks that feed his flesh. The flesh likes to be entertained and fed -- once again spent time doing things that are fleeting and will pass away. In the end, the laborer and the fool or lazy person have the same outcome in their lives. They both are living an empty life of seeking after things that don't really matter. The hard worker amasses toys, the lazy person amasses nothing, but both are seeking things that will result in little. 

Verse 6 provides the conclusion. What is it that we should desire in life? One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. It is better to possess what you can handle or what your one hand can hold versus living life wanting to fill up both hands or even folding his hands (verse 5). Rest is important in our lives and rest is often about trust. I should work hard six days and then the 7th rest and feel fine that I am resting because I do not have to be busy all the time.  

Promise: Pursue contentment, accepting what God has provided.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 - Joy in the Present

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 - ²⁴ There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. ²⁵ For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? ²⁶ For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

Message: God is the giver of providence, wisdom, knowledge, and joy

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.
 
What the Lord is Saying:

Man enjoys eating and drinking and being satisfied and a feeling of accomplishment from his labor. But Solomon reminds me in verse 24 that this is possible because of the hand of God. He provided the food and our enjoyment and so it must be with Him. Man does not necessarily see the fruit of his labor. But he does enjoy eating and drinking. 

There is enjoyment in life. We are to enjoy life and we can enjoy the things of life. We can experience God's creation in various ways. We are allowed to enjoy life though we must remain in the confines of what is right and wrong. 

TableTalk mentions that much of true Christian spirituality in history, up to the Protestant Reformation was about living life so as to be absent from worldly pleasures. Even when I was growing up in the church, there was an idea that certain things inherently corrupted man. It may be dancing, playing cards, certain types of music, drinking alcohol, watching movies, watching TV, sports, and doing anything that wasn't directly spiritual. This is how I think I was trained to a large degree in my life: to avoid certain things. I must say, it is hard to not be like this. 

He provides wisdom and knowledge and joy giving us good sight. Again, this is His hand of provide. I need to be reminded of his providence. It was in that water I drank and the cookies and apples I ate. I enjoyed it because he provided it. 

In verse 26, Solomon remarks that God has given the sinner the task of working (gathering, collecting) so as to provide to the Christian. This (??) is vanity and striving after wind.  These things are not permanent to our lives. Only God's love is permanent. Everything else is vanity and striving after the wind. This phrase "vanity and striving after the wind" I think is something I will define and learn as I move through this book. To me, it may mean that I am not to get too caught up in any one thing thinking that thing is the end all. I can be grateful and enjoy life and what it offer, but always remember it is God's provision and I am ultimately to enjoy Him first and foremost.


Promise: Enjoy life. God has provided all of it. I can enjoy it, but remember that God is the provider. Don't get distracted by it to the point that it takes my eyes off of God.