Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. 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. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 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! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 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[c] 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. Meditation Last week I received an SOS phone call concerning a desperate domestic violence situation for a teen mom. The mom and baby needed a safe place to stay. In social isolation there is power with the oppressor (2) and no one to comfort the victim (1). The solution required more than just economic help. A central question to contrast the under the sun perspective and the perspective of our Creator - What is better, economic prosperity or authentic community? The conclusion is clear: What is better is for us to be together. The toil of work leads to competition over compassion and a deep lack of satisfaction (4-8). Work is good but never designed to satisfy our ultimate needs or be our sole focus. Before Adam was called to cultivate, God gave him the company of Eve. Together we have a better reward (9) and help in time of need (10). Together we can be warm (11) and have strength (12). We are created to live and gather together and with the chord of the Lord our strength cannot be broken (12). The teen mom was connected to a Christian business owner who used his work for compassionate care. The Body of Christ worked together to provide protection for the abused needing refuge. As we emerge from social isolation let us not fall into an under the sun trap. The economy is a means to a greater end, compassion and care for the cultivation of glory for our creator. We are better together. Richly Dwelling -How do you answer the preacher’s question? Which is better, economic prosperity or authentic community? -Where do you see the blessing of togetherness in your work, family, and life? -How can you optimize our Creator’s design through collaborating in togetherness and leveraging impact for the Kingdom of God in your city? Key Verse 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Comments are closed.
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AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa and together they have four adventurous children. |