“Is Working Meaningless?”
Ecc. pt 5
Opening Illustration: From Blue Fish TV – “Motivational Message”
Thesis: Is work meaningless? According to Solomon it is if you are working for the wrong reason and for the wrong person.
Scripture Text: Ecc. 4:1-16:
1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.
3 But better than both
is he who has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.
4And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5 The fool folds his hands
and ruins himself.
6 Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
7Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
13Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. 14The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Introduction:
Solomon in chapter 4 of our text addresses the issue of work and asks if it has eternal value. He even addresses the subject of the workaholic in our chapter. I came across this text to determine if I was a workaholic and I would like to share it with you to help you evaluate where you are at in your view of life and work:
Twenty Questions: How Do I Know If I’m A Workaholic?
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1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?
2. Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can’t?
3. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?
4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?
7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?
8. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won’t otherwise get done?
10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it?
11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?
12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?
13. Are you afraid that if you don’t work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?
14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?
15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?
16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?
17. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?
19. Do you work or read during meals?
20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?
If you answer "yes" to three or more of these questions you may be a workaholic. Relax. You are not alone.
The truth is we do need to look at our jobs seriously but we also need to evaluate what our motivation is at work. Who are we working for and what eternal value does our job really have? We need to ask if we work for God, for a paycheck, for self gratification or even for others.
Illustration from Patrick Bissig at sermoncentral.com
Charles Plumb:
Was a US navy Pilot in Vietnam
After 75 combat missions his plane was destroyed by a surface to air missile
Plumb ejected and parachuted to enemy’s hands
He was captured and spent 6 years in a Communist, Vietnamese Prison
He survived the ordeal
and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
One day while sitting at a restaurant with his wife
a man came over from another table and said
“Your Plumb, you flew jet fighters in Vietnam
From the Air Craft Carrier Kitty Hawk, you where shot down
“How in the world did you know that” asked Charles Plum?
Well, I packed your parachute” the man replied
Plum gasped in surprised and in gratitude
The man high-fived Plum with enthusiasm and said,
“It guess it worked, I guess it worked”
“It sure did replied” Plum,
“If your chute hadn’t worked I wouldn’t be here today!
Charles couldn’t sleep that night from thinking about that man
I kept wondering what he might of looked like in a navy uniform
White hat, bib in the back and bell-bottom trousers
I wondered how many times I might of seen him and not even said
“Good Morning, How are you, How is your day going?” or anything at all
“You see I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor”
Plumb thought about many hours that sailor
had spent on a long wooden table
In the bowels of the ship carefully weaving the shrouds
and folding the silks of each chute
holding in his hands each time
the very life of someone he didn’t even know.
Here is the question: Are you busy packing someone else’s parachute?
Are you an investor…Do you invest in someone else?
Is your life about you and yours? Or about others!
T.S. - Solomon is exploring and observing the workers in his kingdom and the subject of work in a person’s life. You could say’s he is asking the question, “Is work meaningless?” Let’s find out the answer to this question:
I. So many laborers are oppressed with no comfort or meaning in life.
a. Solomon did a survey or his work force in Israel to see the condition of his workers and here is what he observed:
i. They are miserable – they are tormented and oppressed! They hate their jobs and their bosses!
ii. Do you think if Solomon walked around the different work places in Amery today he would find a different view of the work force?
iii. How about you and your place of work?
1. Have you ever felt oppressed at work?”
2. Have you ever felt trapped with no way out?
3. Have you suffered from abusive employers and or fellow employees?
4. Do you feel that you work for yourself or for God?
b. Solomon said, “I think the dead are happier than those who are alive and in slavery to their jobs.”
i. I would agree with part of this observation because the ones in heaven are happier but the one’s in Hell are not!
c. Solomon said, “I think the unborn are happier than the ones who are laboring and toiling for no eternal reward.”
i. I can’t say if I know the condition of people before they are born. But I can say that exposure to evil cause’s scars and heartache.
d. So why has work become a place of oppression for so many?
i. I believe because people are doing the work for their own personal benefit and not for God.
1. Their focus is all about being pleased and being happy at work – it’s all selfishly motivated.
a. When we only focus on our wants - we soon discover they are not met – so we become unhappy and critical of the place we are working at!
2. What is your attitude like at work?
T.S. – Solomon tells us that the job can be a very oppressive place he sees that. But we must ask ourselves who are we working for?
II. So many are sacrificing themselves to their work because of the envy of others and this creates a crisis in life.
a. This sounds so much like today – does it not?
i. Many are working 80-100 hours a week to keep up with the Jones next door or the fellow worker.
ii. Many have become slaves to their jobs out of envy for what others have and they do not.
iii. Many are slaves to their materialistic attitudes and it’s killing them and the sad fact is - their life work does not have any eternal meaning attached to it.
1. This is why jobs become meaningless and even boring!
b. Envy is defined – 1. Spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins). 2. A feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something possessed by another. 3. Painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage
c. Solomon says, “There are a lot of people working for the god of envy and this will prove to be meaningless in the end.”
T.S. – Our text challenges us again to look at the motivating factor behind our work ethic, why are we working the way we do and for who are we working for?
III. So many have their hands folded because they gave up the struggle and maybe they have peace and less stress but this too is meaningless?
a. Solomon had noticed that in his kingdom some people gave up and were doing nothing – they are not working and therefore they have no stress or turmoil but is this the answer to the pressures of life and work?
b. The Bible makes it clear that everyone is to work! Proverbs the book of wisdom tells us that we have to work:
i. Proverbs 6:6-11: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
ii. Proverbs 20:4: A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
iii. Proverbs 10:4, 5: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
iv. Hebrews 6:12: We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
c. Giving up is meaningless too so this is not the answer to the work problem – it’s instead working for God.
i. Do all for the glory of God – 1 Cor. 10:31: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1. Colossians 3:22-25: 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
2. This verse makes it clear that we are to do everything for the glory of God even work for a master who may even own us.
T.S. – We have the mandate from Scripture that we need to work and we need to work for God’s glory and do a good job for God.
IV. So many have sacrificed themselves for their work and they have lost their families, friends and this is meaningless.
a. Solomon is looking around at his kingdom and he says, “There are a lot of lonely people who sacrificed their lives for their jobs and have ended up all alone.
i. He notes that one day they wake up and look around and they discover that they are all alone!
ii. Yet their toil is endless it never stops!
1. They kept working for more, more, more, and more and in the end all they have is loneliness.
a. No joy, no happiness – no eternal meaning!
iii. One day they look around and the light bulb goes off and they say, “Why am I doing this?”
1. Illustration: Play song on CD – From “Life is a Church Album-Go Home.”
a. They discover that there is no joy in life without family, friends and loved ones even if you have money, fame and success.
2. Solomon says, “What a miserable business!”
a. But many buy into this business model in America today and it is all meaningless!
b. Solomon also observes what happens to the wealthy loner who sacrifices his or her family for the American Israelite dream.
i. He says two people working together are better than just one person doing it all alone.
1. The power of 2 people stories -Illustration from Patrick Bissig sermoncentral.com
a. We were not meant to be alone. People need someone who will come along side and join them arm in arm in the fight.
Life is hard,
It is not easy,
bad things happen,
tough times come
but if we are standing shoulder to shoulder, locked arm in arm, we won’t fall. This is one reason why we need to come to church.
b. Examples of the power of two:
i. Paul/Timothy
ii. Mary/Martha
iii. David/Jonathan
iv. Ruth/Naomi
v. Moses/Aaron
vi. Elijah/Elisha
vii. Jesus/John
viii. Lone Ranger/Tonto
ix. Batman/Robin
x. Andy/Barney
xi. Kathy/Mike
c. A memorable scene on the ball field revealing the power of 2 people standing side by side:
i. Jackie Robinson – 1st African American in baseball -Brooklyn
Made a critical error
Humiliated -Booed Jeered spit at
Pee Wee Reese – Came over to second base put his arm around his shoulder
J. Robinson – “That saved my career.”
ii. . . . TWO MEN SHOULDER TO SHOULDER BOTH LEGENDS!
ii. He says if one falls the other can help them up onto their feet again.
1. He observes how tragic it is to fall and have no one there to pick you up to help you out of the hole.
a. The truth is we need others to believe in us and help us up when we fall!
2. Illustration and thoughts from Patrick Bissig (sermoncentral.com):
a. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. . .”
i. People who invest in other people are the ones who truly make an impact in this world: Bono of U2, Jerry Lewis (MDA), Princes Diana, Mother Teresa
ii. People that invest in people are the ones who really make a difference and we never forget them.
iii. People who only invest in themselves live a very lonely life and never make a difference and no one remembers them.
iii. Solomon even notes that two keep each other warm on the cold nights.
1. So the wealthy person with no family is always cold at night and living a miserable cold life.
a. Kathy my wife always says come to bed and warm up my feet, “I’m cold!” The truth is her feet are like ice but I help her out.
b. She says, “That I am a great heater!”
iv. Solomon observes two can defend themselves better than one can so the wealthy loner is going to lose in a battle.
1. We need each other and in the many battles that we will face in life we need others to stand by our side and help us to defend each other.
2. Illustration from Jason Hill at sermoncentral.com:
a. Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”
i. True friends are committed for life. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen and talked to people who have been the victim of a fair-weather friend. They establish what they think is a friendship with someone and as soon as things get a little rough or someone gets their feathers ruffled they bail and their time in that “friendship” is through.
ii. A few years ago there was a country song out in which one woman counsels another woman not to get involved with a certain guy because he is a “walk away Joe”. Just a little turmoil, trouble or discomfort and he’ll be gone. Friends, for what it’s worth, when it comes to friendships I don’t want to be a walk away Joe. I want to be a steadfast, committed, faithful Joe. Many of us have fallen victim to friendships with walk away Joe’s or walk away Jane’s and have been hurt in the process. A true friend, one who God wants us to be friends with are ones who are committed to our friendship for the long haul and as the verse says, will love us no matter what happens. This verse also says that a true friend will remain your friend no matter what happens.
v. Solomon then adds this famous phrase, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
1. Why does Solomon move from talking about pairs to talking about three’s:
a. Because he is making a point that you, your spouse, or good friend joined together in God cannot easily be broken!
i. Remember go read the last chapter of Ecc. 12:13-14: Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
T.S. – The truth is we need others in this life and God designed it that way, that is why he created the church and he pushes the importance of fellowship in the Body of Christ.
V. Leadership when achieved is meaningless without the right type of leadership style and God’s involvement.
a. In leadership true leaders understand the law of sacrifice – it is the idea that a leader must give up to go up. This thought comes from John Maxwell and James Garlow.
i. Listen to his thoughts on this subject:
1. Principle of leadership of sacrifice #1: Count the cost; Then pay it! (page 235).
a. Leadership will always cost the leader personally:
i. It will cost them their reputation with some, it will cost them in criticism, it will cost them in misunderstandings and misquotes. But a leader who serves for the right reason and for God will pay the price so that the cause can go forward.
2. Principle of leadership of sacrifice #6: The present generation always stands on the sacrifices of those who have gone before it!
a. The story of Jim Elliot’s sacrifice - (The 21 Irrefutable laws of leadership tested by time, by James Garlow page 238).
i. His quote: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
b. The story of William Tyndale from Garlow pages 238-239.
i. William Tyndale could have enjoyed the life of a scholar. Instead he died a martyr. Many know his name. They know he’s important. But they know little of his life of profound sacrifice. Born in 1494, Tyndale was brilliant linguist with a passion to translate the Greek New Testament into English language, something the English-speaking world lacked. His bishops warned him not to do it, however, because they believed that the “common person” should not have the Bible in a language they could understand. In hiding in Europe, William saw his dream come true in February 1526 when six thousand copies of the English New Testament were completed. Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall didn’t approve of the Scriptures being translated into English and hired August Packington to pay whatever needed in order to buy up all the Bibles and destroy them. Tyndale cooperated willingly in the plan. Why? Paid an exorbitant amount, he knew he would be able to afford to do higher quality translation and be able to produce far more Bibles. And that is exactly what he did. In a very short time, Tyndale was peppering England with Bibles, hidden in sacks of flour and bales of corn. And he kept on the move so that King Henry VIII of England could not find him, that is, until a man named Henry Phillips turned him in. His pursuers found him on May 21, 1535. William Tyndale was strangled , and they burned his body at the stake in 1536. As he gasped his last breath, he cried out, “Lord! Open the king of England’s eyes.” And that prayer was answered! Two years later, in 1538, the king reversed himself and issued a royal injunction that required a copy of the Bible to be available in every parish church in England. Tyndale won the cause, but lost his life in the process. Leading can cost-dearly (238-239, Garlow).
3. Principle of leadership sacrifice #10: Accept the fact that life isn’t fair (241).
a. The truth is people will not always treat a leader fairly so get over it.
4. Principle of leadership sacrifice #14: If you lose friends by telling and living the truth, they were not friends you should keep anyway (243).
5. Principle of leadership of Sacrifice #17: Cherish truth, but know that it will cost (246).
6. Principle of leadership sacrifice #20: Die to self; check your ego at the door (247).
b. Leaders know that once in the position if will cost you. Why? Because when you have attained a leadership position you soon discover there are those who want you removed from that position.
i. You quickly discover the opinion polls are always being taken.
ii. You quickly discover who is for you and against you.
c. In leadership you must heed the warnings around you or you will suffer the consequences like many leaders who have refused to listen to God and to wise counsel.
i. Solomon says “I need to heed the warnings!’
1. “I don’t know it all – but God does!”
d. Leaders soon discover that the successors will criticize them for what they did or did not do. These critics without any knowledge of why a person did what they did will make improper judgment calls.
i. You will be criticized and ridiculed and attacked as a leader.
1. It comes with the territory.
2. Share about Pastor Marion Adams comments on pastoring in today’s world.
ii. People will call you names and misunderstand what you say and even what you do at times.
1. But you must serve God and please Him in spite of what others say!
e. Solomon looked around him and saw all the young ones seeking his position and saying, “I can do a better job than he can!”
i. He heard them shouting, “He is such a loser as a president and king! I can do a better job!”
f. Solomon says being a leader is meaningless without God’s involvement and the knowledge that this is what God called you to do.
Conclusion:
The question is asked by Solomon is work meaningless? The answer is a “yes” if we work for the wrong person and for the wrong reason. The answer is “No” it is not meaningless when we are working for God, for His kingdom, His purposes and for His glory. This is when our work takes on new eternal meaning and it will live on into eternity! Solomon is trying to tell each of us today to make sure we work for the right reason and for the right person.
We need to connect with God and work for the Lord then our work is not meaningless and it will live on into eternity.
Illustration of -- “DJ-ing for God” from Blue Fish TV
