Work Vs Toil
Announcements
- Announcement 1
- Announcement 2
This Month's Topic:
Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26
Discussion Objective:
The book of Ecclesiastes contains Proverbs, maxims, sayings, and is largely an autobiographical story. Solomon wrote it late in his life, approximately 935 B.C. He had become aware of the mistakes that he made throughout his life and began to document them. The purpose of Ecclesiastes is to spare future generations the suffering and misery of seeking after foolish, meaningless, materialistic emptiness, and to offer wisdom by discovering truth in seeking after God.
It appears that Solomon once again, wants to teach the reader wisdom, “I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with” (1:13).
• Chapter 1-2, deal with Solomon’s personal experiences throughout his life. He describes that everything he sought was selfish pleasure and meant nothing eternally. Generally, he speaks concerning the meaning of life,
What are your thoughts about balance? Is it equal? Is there a goal to be attained?
18. I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me,
19. and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.
V18-19: How does Solomon's words sound to you about considering what comes after you?
Why do you feel the need to work - is it just financial?
20. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,
21. because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22. What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun?
V20-22: How do you deal with despair over the toil of your labors?
How do you find contentment in the priorities of your life?
23. For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.
24. There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
25. for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
26. For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
V23-26: Vexation - something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness. Solomon is saying he not only struggled with his toils but also he enjoyed them at times. Unpack verse 26.
List out the areas of your life and give an honest evaluation of your current balance.
Pastor Notes
Notes from same book of the bible
| File | Chapter | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1_Luke Overview | - | Bible Book Overview |
| The Miracle of Christmas Shepherd Evangelism | 2 | Teaching |
| Simeon Waiting for Jesus | 2 |
|
| Jesus Tempted | 4 | Discussion |
| Jesus Call the Disciples Fishers of Men and Their Response in Following | 5 |
|
| Unpacking the Parables Specks and Planks | 6 | Teaching |
| Disabled Woman | 13 | Teaching |
| Persistent Widow | 18 | Discussion |
| Jesus Saves Zacchaeus and His Response in Giving | 19 |
|
| A Biblical Leader is One Who Serves | 22 | Discussion |
| Jesus' Personal Prayer Time | 22 | Discussion |
| Proclaim His Name to All Nations | 24 | Discussion |
| Telling Plainly What Happened | 24 | Discussion |