"The Dangers of Individualism"

Introduction: In a book called Habits of the Heart, sociologists write in description of the individualistic nature of Western culture, “We believe in the dignity, indeed the sacredness of the individual. Anything that would violate our right to think for ourselves, judge for ourselves, make our own decisions, live our lives as we see fit, is not only morally wrong, it is sacrilegious. Our highest and noblest aspirations, not only for ourselves, but for those we care about, for our society and for the world, are closely linked to our individualism.”

Today in this text, we are going to look at how the Preacher views individualism. Yes, individualism has highlighted some things that are necessary about ourselves and autonomy to make choices, but often, can be taken so far as to say that no one or no thing can judge me and tell me what to do. This has bled into our society, and it bleeds even into our churches. The church needs to counter this, especially today, for our lives our not our own, but belong to God and we belong to a family of believers, both universally and locally, called the church.

CTS: Counter individualism by living life for the glory of God and the good of others.

When individualism reigns...

I. Oppression Occurs (1-3)

When individualism reigns supreme, we see the evil of oppression. What is oppression? When those that have gained power oppress others to retain that power or to increase it. This is the sin that we have seen throughout all of history. Keeping the poor, poor. Slavery is oppression. Taking advantage of others for gain is essentially what oppression is, and the Preacher reveals that oppression is real under the sun.

First, oppression is sin and insults our Maker. Why? Because we are oppressing a person made in the image of God. (Prov 14:31)

Second, we see that oppression leads to destruction. Sin has its consequences. Many of those that have taken advantage of others will face up to their actions in this life. Poverty ensues when it is seen that their wealth and power were built upon the backs of the oppressed. (Prov 22:16) But one day, even if they don’t face it here, as we found out last week, justice will come.

Application: This is the danger that can stem from individualism, for this idealogy tells us each of us is most important, even at the expense of others. And we cannot act like this doesn’t happen in our world. Across the world, slavery still exists. Child-labor still exists. Sweat shops still exist. And it can even happen in our own country of America. We are imperfect, and there are things that we need to address when we see that there are those that are oppressed unrighteously according to biblical standards. The church must keep their eyes open to this, to not participate in it are buy from those that take advantage of others in this way (which by the way, is eye-opening. Many of the major companies of even our own country use sweat shops and oppress foreign workers for cheap labor to make a profit). We should be praying and supporting those endeavors that lift up the image of God in people, and most of all, sending the hope of the Gospel through missions to those that are suffering and to give them the great hope they have in Christ in word and deed.

Proverbs 14:31 ESV

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Proverbs 22:16 ESV

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

Proverbs 28:3 ESV

A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.

II. Envy Abounds (4-6)

When individualism reigns, the danger of envy is evident. We live in a culture of keeping up with the Joneses. First final commandment in the 10 commandments tells us that we are to “not covet.” Our society breeds this contentment with telling you “if you just had this, you would be happy.” So we watch commercials of people that seem so joyful with their new phone, their new car, their new gadget. And look, its ok to have things. The Preacher though is pointing out that when self becomes king, then envy will rule. I have to have what others have. Better clothes. Better stuff. Better bodies. Verse 4 tells us that when my happiness becomes king and I strive to have what every one else has, it is vanity and striving after the wind.

But then there is the other side of the coin. Envy can sometimes lead to defeat. I can’t keep up. And so have the verse 5 contrast of one who is so focused on self that they just become lackadaisical and quit. Proverbs 6:10-11 tells us this as well. Rather than work hard to provide, they focus on themselves and feed their own lack of self-worth, becoming selfish. They eat their own flesh. When self becomes king, my focus is on myself alone.

Application (verse 6): But the Preacher gives us a remedy to this, one of the few times we see some positive advice for this evil under the sun. It is contentment. Better is to be content with what God has given us, to live quietly. Rather than toil to proclaim how much I have in envious work, we quietly work hard, trusting God’s provisions for us. The remedy of individualism is to work for God and for others, and not ourselves.

Proverbs 6:10–11 ESV

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

III. Loneliness is Common (7-12)

Another one of the dangers of individualism is that we face of a life of loneliness. Verses 7-8, the Preacher gives the illustration of a person that is so focused on self, on the individual, that in the end, he is lonely. Whether he literally has no family or that this is the results of his outright individualism, we see he has worked so hard, many long hours, that he doesn’t have anything to give others. Have you ever seen someone so enamored with getting more, having more things, better retirement, and leave no time for relationships, neglecting their wives or husbands and family to serve self, even if they say “its for my family.” It is common in our culture. We weren’t mean to live alone, yet we often try to be leaving our family behind. And it’s something that I even have to be very careful of myself. I am very thankful for a church family that respects that I need time with my family. But you need to constantly guard that for me on my behalf. It can be easy for the pastor or leaders of the church neglect their family for the church. Rather than a healthy balance, it becomes a self-serving endeavor, an addiction to the praise and the work of ministry.

What is the remedy for this? Verses 9-12 tells us that we were meant for community. We were created for relationships. From the very beginning, God created a “help-meet” for Adam, for He saw that it wasn’t good that man is alone. We need one another. This isn’t just a text for marriage, but a whole principle of life. We need one another. We need friendships, companions, community. We will fall and we all need help. To keep one warm on the journey, to protect one another.

Application: The church is the remedy for individualism, for it is the place where we become one body. Many people gather and are on mission together to glorify God. Life isn’t about us in this context. Rather, it is about the glory of God, fulfilled in the people of God together. The warmth of one another as we spiritually grow on our journey through a dark world. The protection of one another as we experience spiritual attack from the Enemy. The church is the place where we are on the path of discipleship, a place of equipping one another, encouraging one another, praying for one another. The church isn’t the place where I just find out what I like and what I need, but rather, I go to find out how I can glorify God and serve Him alongside other people, encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ by serving them and serving alongside them. Individualism has made a culture of church that is about me, my needs, and my wants. When the church doesn’t fulfill those needs, I get mad, throw a fit, or go to another church. That’s not the biblical picture of the church.

We need companions, friends on this journey, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24). That friend is Jesus himself, and He is the cord that never breaks. John 15:15 “15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

When our lives are bound to His, and bound to His people, we are never broken, no matter how difficult and dark the days get.

IV. Wisdom is Rejected (13-16)

The final warning against individualism is the failure of leadership. That failure is not heeding advice, no matter how experienced or long we have been living. It doesn’t matter how long you have lived, you can always learn. The young need the old to tell us their wisdom. The old need the young to inform them of new ways to proclaim old truth.

And in this illustration, the king who rejects the advice of the wise youth eventually loses his throne, his popularity. He is replaced. And even the youth that took his place, eventually he loses his popularity. What is the main message of this? Leadership eventually wanes. What are you leaving behind? What legacy have you cultivated. Individualism rejects others, for we think we know better and if we let others in on our lives, they might steal the glory I deserve. We have watched rulers over history lose their thrones, their positions. We have watched it recently. Everyone gets replaced. Everyone has their critics. And eventually, it all fades away. What legacy have they left? For some, it’s good things that have lasted for eras. For some, they will be remembered by their refusal to listen wise advice, from others, and in turn, their legacy is tarnished.

Application: The church lives differently. Leaders serve alongside others. They also head the advice of those around them, young and old. In the earth, the old do not despise the youth. Learn from them. Listen to them. Be willing to adjust ways of doing things. The young need the experienced to bring wisdom to each situation, never discarding that which they have learned. Together, in this community, God’s work can thrive, for this is the way God intended for us to live and operate.

1 Kings 3:9 ESV

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

Conclusion: