Chasing the Wind

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

Eccl. 4:4 ¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

I thing the NLT makes the meaning of this verse a bit clearer: “Then I observed that most people are motivated to success by their envy of their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.”

At least, Solomon recognizes that there is no true fulfillment or eternal purpose to be found through such endeavor.

Again, this is a pretty sad commentary on the character of man; but without God as Lord of your life, man’s motivation has to find root in the things of the world—things with no eternal benefit. I believe that pride is the root of all sin. When we reject God as Lord, we automatically place ourselves in that position. Therefore, everything we do is rooted in wanting to exalt “me” and to garner the admiration of others, accumulate possessions, and attain power and influence.

I couldn’t help but think of the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

And the words of the Apostle John.

1John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

And the words of Peter.

1Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

Eccl. 4:5-6 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

Not everyone is motivated to “go for the gold.” Some decide that the rat race just isn’t worth it. In fact, they go to the other extreme. They are content to settle for whatever comes their way rather than to invest their time and energy in hard work to even provide for themselves.

I couldn’t help but think of those who abuse the welfare system today and are content to live off handouts rather than work for a living. They seem to have no sense of shame in taking advantage of hardworking men and women. This is not an indictment against the truly needy or those who need a helping hand in between jobs. I just don’t understand how our government doesn’t seem to understand that they are promoting laziness and dependency rather than motivating people to work hard and become independent as they seem to be intent on taking us on the fast track to socialism.

Scripture is clear in declaring the importance of hard work and sharing with the truly needy.

Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”

Ephesians 4:28 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

1Thessalonians 4:11-12 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

2Thessalonians 3:10-12 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

Even according to earthly wisdom, Solomon realizes that one is better off to find contentment in working for what you actually need to support yourself and your family rather than putting yourself through the stress and frustration that often accompanies what the world calls success.