The Benefits of Teamwork

Continuing our study of Solomon’s search for meaning in life….

Eccl. 4:7-8 ¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

It would seem that an ambitious, hard working single man caught Solomon’s attention; and he couldn’t help but wonder why he would be so driven and not take time to enjoy life. He didn’t have anyone to share his success. His only purpose in life is to accumulate more wealth. It was obvious to Solomon that this was a useless endeavor in the ongoing scheme of things. This man would end up going to the grave having only the satisfaction of having accumulated so much—and he certainly couldn’t take it with him as scripture affirms.

Job 1:20-21 “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

1Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Eccl. 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Solomon concludes that having a companion to work with and share in life is much preferable to being alone. When the going gets tough, it is good to have a partner to help pick you up and get you going again. It’s hard to find self-motivation when you feel defeated; it’s always helpful to get encouragement and support from someone else. Two can provide comfort to one another, while a person alone has no one to comfort him/her. A person alone is vulnerable to the attack of an enemy; a team of two, however, is not so vulnerable. Stands to reason that a team of three is even better than two.

Though not the specific context, these are beautiful verses to consider when thinking of marriage. Finding the right life partner is a wonderful thing. It clearly gives one a sense of strength and confidence in facing whatever life might throw your way. The obvious application to the Lord as the third cord in your relationship should give the Christian couple a strong sense of peace and security as they trust Him to guide and protect them according to His will. They can be confident that He will allow nothing to touch them that isn’t meant for good.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I think it is significant to note that the reference is to a “cord,” a single string or rope made of several strands. In other words, the key to its strength and function is in its unity.