4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. 5 The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh. 6 Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun: 8 There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.
Ecclesiastes 4:4-8
We are examining the second characteristic of “life under the sun” from the book of Ecclesiastes this week. And that second characteristic found in chapter 4 is the dearth of lasting peace. Life without God does not lead to peace and contentment. Let’s examine.
Characteristic 2—No Lasting Peace
Another feature of life on this earth is a lack of peace. Nothing in this life can fulfill us for very long.
Our work doesn’t lead us to peace. Instead, it leads to bitterness, envy, and covetousness. Solomon laments the meaninglessness and vanity of labor under the sun.
Don’t misunderstand the point. Work is good and is given by God. God provides for us through our work and labor. It is far better to work and be productive than to be lazy and ineffectual.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that though work has a purpose, it can never bring lasting peace. Labor when seen outside of the sovereignty and the purview of God, is mere drudgery and monotony. But, when work is kept in its proper perspective as a gift from God, it becomes something altogether different. Keep this in mind when the alarm clock rings next Monday!
Tony French
mrtonyfrench 