Day #8: Advice at Work

If Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes later in life to the young men in his kingdom it would explain why he develops the topic of work.  Most of their time and energies would be devoted to providing for their families.  Solomon had already indicated that the simple pleasures of life were available to the common man and that enjoying his work was foremost.  But in a fallen world, with human nature as it is, certain perspectives fight against this.  Solomon now lists several attitudes which should be considered: competition, balance, greed, and recognition. In our day they would apply to both men and women.

Competition

 

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless—like chasing the wind. (Ec 4:4)

 

This phrase "chasing after the wind" is used nine times in the book of Ecclesiastes.  It denotes a quest that brings no fulfillment.  With all the hard work exerted, the person has nothing to show for his efforts.  Solomon has already asserted the value of work when the fruits of labor can be enjoyed (Eccl 2:24-25). Now he begins to dig deeper.  Competition between one person and another is behind much of the motivation at work.  He considers this to be ultimately fruitless.  That's an interesting perspective from the vantage point of the economy of the West, with massive corporations driven by competition.  His observation seems to be on a more personal scale- one person to another.  Certainly, competition puts a strain on personal relationships.  Rather than compete we should complement.  Teamwork can accomplish much. 

 

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. (Ec 4:9-10)

 

Solomon saw the value of cooperative effort.  He was no fan of fierce individualism.  Those focused on outdoing the other person cannot accomplish nearly as much as those willing to work together. 

 

Balance

 

The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind. (Ec 4:4-5)

 

Two extremes are explored.  On the one end of the spectrum, we see the fool who will do no work at all.  His life is ruined by his laziness. On the other hand, the person working without rest.  The balance of work and rest is the goal.  This is easier said than done.  Many become obsessed workaholics, others are obsessed with leisure.  And in the working world our pace is often dictated by forces beyond our control.  To make ends meet many must have multiple jobs; others are pushed to unreasonable limits.  Ultimately, we should view our work as a gift of God and He as our ultimate employer.  As Lord and Master, we are accountable to Him and Him alone.  He cares for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our family.  In Psalm 127:1-2 Solomon developed this theme further:

 

If the LORD does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain. If the LORD does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain. It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.

 

We should be comforted to remember that God is our provider, He gives even in our sleep.  When we remember this, balance is attainable.

 

Greed

 

A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is futile and a burdensome task! (Ec 4:8)

 

The greedy person is never satisfied.  When asked how much they need, they answer, "Just a little more." Instead of finding contentment, they are trapped in a never-ending quest.  Greed steals the natural joy we should derive from our work.  Our goal should be contentment, not more riches.  As the Apostle Paul reminds us:

 

Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains. (1 Tim 6:6-10)

 

Recognition

 

A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice. For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom. I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place. There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind. (4:13-16)

 

Even though the wise youth advances to become king, "future generations will not rejoice in him."  For all the recognition that advancement should bring, they are short lived.  Much of the motivation in the working world is a desire for recognition and praise.  This may be one of the most striking features of our fallen world.  There is more infighting over "who gets the credit" than almost anything.  And human nature feeds this problem.  Why did Cain kill Abel?  Was he jealous of the recognition God gave his brother?  Solomon knew firsthand of the jostling for secession to David's throne evidenced by his half-brother, Adonijah. (1 Ki 1:1-27)

 

Furthermore, all recognition and praise given under the sun is simply one man praising another.  Why should we seek the praise of men when we can seek God's approval?  Many in Jesus' day would not believe in Him for fear of what men would say. 

 

For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. (Jn 12:43)

 

So in conclusion, competition, lack of balance, greed and the desire for recognition steal much of the natural joy we should find in our work.


Questions to consider:

 

  1. What is it that most often robs you of the joy you could find in your work?
  2. What do you think is the secret of contentment in work?

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