Better Together

Introduction

Where we've been

Ecclesiastes has a coherent worldview as a whole book so we are going to continue to rehash where we've been in previous weeks so we can place where we are in the right context.

We've seen diverse vanities

Nothing changes so there's no gain.

Everything changes so there's no gain.

Pleasure, wealth, achievement, and wisdom do not satisfy

The world is filled with evil

Everyone dies.

We've seen some hope

Know that God is sovereign.

Enjoy what God has given us.

Today we are going to look at a more positive element of Ecclesiastes

In this text the preacher presents us with something *better*.

Not the first use of this important word.

What's better?

Two

In this vain life we should enjoy relationships.

Structure

Sandwich: Two bad examples surrounding a series of proverbs about relationships

Start in the middle and work our way out.

The Shared Life

Eccl 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

The thesis of this section is "2 are better than 1"

This bridges the gap between the last section and this one

1 handful is better than 2

Ecclesiastes 4:6 ESV

6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

2 people are better than 1

The preacher is placing a priority on relationships

More stuff is not gain

Relationships do provide reward for toil

How do relationships bring reward?

Three illustrations

Two lift each other up

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Israel had much rugged terrain

Jesus uses a similar illustration when he talks about the blind leading the blind into a pit

As they traveled the two could keep an eye out together and help one another when they stumbled

Two keep each other warm

Ecclesiastes 4:11 ESV

11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

They didn't have sleeping bags

Two could double their cloaks and sleep near one another for warmth

Outside of traveling

We can care for one another's physical needs

We can provide comfort

Two stand together with strength

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

When attacked by robbers it would be better to have two people

Application

Provide Encouragement

See strengths

I thank God that you do this"

See successes

"I see growth!"

See sorrows

"I see you are hurting"

Provide Accountability

Point out blind spots

"Do you realize that you do this?"

Aim for the heart

Remind us we are not alone

Provide physical care

Take seriously the physical needs of others by looking out for their interests

If community is so great, why are we isolated?*

The Causes of Isolation

Greed

Ecclesiastes 4:7–8 ESV

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

This is a man who lives for wealth, but never builds relationships

There's no gain in this selfishness

What does greed look like for us?

We all have an image of greed that looks something like Ebenezer Scrooge

Greed isn't an "other people" problem

By another name: Discontentment, selfishness, covetousness

Manifestations:

theft (money, time, affection),

anger,

dishonesty,

cowardice

Following Christ for what it gets us

Greed isolates us from others because it converts others from beings made in the image of God for his glory into tools for my glory

No one wants to be used.

Stubbornness

Ecclesiastes 4:13–16 ESV

13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The foolish king

This king isolates himself from those around him and refuses to take their advice

Much like greed, this stubbornness places myself on the throne. "I'm the only one who can be right. Only my opinion matters."

The wise youth

v. 14 is probably talking about the young man (Joseph?)

Prison to king

In the king's place

No end to the people

This man listens to wisdom and prospers

Even this is vanity

There is a better way to live, but eventually even the wise king is forgotten

Application

In this text we don't have a solution to vanity, but we have a better way to live under the sun

Life in community is better than life alone

New Testament

Ecclesiastes advice is often tricky and prone to abuse

A good protection from misinterpretation is to look to the NT for confirmation

The model of the early church is one of sacrifice

NT condemns greed

Rich man and lazarus

Rich young ruler

The rich fool

Jesus poses a very Preacher-like question

Luke 12:20 ESV

20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

NT commands unity

His disciples would be identified by their love

Love your neighbor as yourself

His body is diverse and unified (1 Cor 12)

Dependent

What about Singles?

Singles have a unique experience of this issue

This could cause discontentment

Marriage is great, but it is not the only source of community

Singles, you are not alone.

Church family

Christ himself

At your Job

Work to the glory of God rather than for a paycheck

In this Church

Build relationships with your eternal family in the body of Christ

This is Still Vanity

Good relationships are better than no good relationships

But ultimately they don’t answer the longing of the book

Discussion

Why do people often isolate themselves even though they are made for relationships?

What are some ways that you can isolate yourself, even when you are in relationships with other people?

How does greed push people away?

What are some practical ways that you can be an encouragement to someone in your life?

How can we find balance between providing accountability and minding our own business?