Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
The Vanity of Selfish Toil
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
| << Ecclesiastes 4:3 | Ecclesiastes 4:5 >> |
Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain Ecclesiastes 4:4:
Ecclesiastes 4:4-7
There is no such thing as the good ol' days. Just a little bit later in this book, he says that. There is no such thing. Life has always been the same. That is hard for us to grasp. That is because people are driven by the same things. They are driven by envy; driven by desire; and that is something he goes into in Ecclesiastes 4:4-7.
He says the major reason for hard work among men is rivalry, competition. Somebody is trying to outdo somebody else. Success breeds envy by neighbors. So hard work, by the neighbors, is entered into in order to outclass somebody else. But Solomon reaches the conclusion that rivalry does not produce lasting companionship.
What do rivalry and competition produce? Enemies. He then says that contentment is two times better than the futility of pursuing after gain, that is, the keeping up with the Joneses is a futile thing for a person to do.
Articles
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Five): Comparisons
Sermons
Satan, Division, and Humility
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)
| << Ecclesiastes 4:3 | Ecclesiastes 4:5 >> |
Join 137,236+ readers
A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning
Consistent Bible study is hard to start.
The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.
Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.