(“The Vanity Of Working Just For Yourself”)

Ecclesiastes 4:7-16 (NASU)

(Ecclesiastes 4:7-8)

(A) THE BROAD WAY TO DESTRUCTION VERSES THE NARROW WAY TO LIFE

(1) Jesus once said, “the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who enter through it.” On the other hand, He continued, “the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are FEW who find it” (c.f. Matthew 7:13-14).

(2) Since Solomon lived about a thousand years before Jesus’ incarnation,¹ he never heard our Savior speak those words. By God’s grace, however, he did understand the principle – indeed, one could say the Book of Ecclesiastes is filled with practical examples of this “broad-way-verses-the-narrow-way” principle.

(a) Regarding the narrow path, Solomon said the ONLY WAY to find happiness or satisfaction in life is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 12:13b). When we do that, we’re able to “rejoice and … do good in (our) lifetime” – to see our labor as a “gift (from) God” – and/or to “be happy in (our) activities” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 22). When we “fear God and keep His commandments” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 12:13b), it’s much easier to find that illusive middle ground between being driven by rivalry to out-do others, and folding our hands in apathy and doing little or nothing (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:4-6).

(b) Regarding the broad path, Solomon indicates there are MANY ways people try to find happiness and satisfaction in life that leave God out of the picture – moreover, all of them are doomed to failure – or, as the Holy Spirit inspired the king to put it, in the long run all of them prove to be “vanity and striving after wind” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:16d).

Some try and find these things through the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom (c.f. Ecclesiastes 1:12-18) – others try to find them by building or achieving great things – while still others seek them through various forms of physical pleasure (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). In the end, though, if God has been left out (or as we would say today, “apart from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, where His glory becomes our first priority”) it’s all “vanity and striving after wind (because) there (is) no (lasting) profit under the sun (in any of it)” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:11b).

(3) One of the vanities Solomon has addressed several times already is that of labor.

(a) Although work was part of the created order before the Fall (c.f. Genesis 2:15), since then it has become an endeavor marked by ample amounts of frustration, failure, and futility (c.f. Genesis 3:17-19) – especially when men become obsessed with what they’re doing, and/or do it for their own glory rather than that of their Maker and Savior (c.f. I Corinthians 10:31). Hence, the first question Solomon asked in Ecclesiastes (in the third verse of chapter one, no less) was: “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 1:3) – and later, in chapter two: “what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:22) – and again, in chapter three: “what profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 3:9).

(b) In every instance, the answer has been the same – i.e. that there is no “advantage” or “profit” to a man’s labor when done for any reason other than “reverence for God and a desire to obey Him”. All other labor, Solomon said, is “vanity and striving after wind and there (is) no profit under the sun” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:11b) – and again, that all such “work” is “grievous … because everything (done for self rather than God) (ultimately results in) futility and striving after wind” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:17).

(B) THE GREEDY SELF-CENTERED WORKAHOLIC

(1) In tonight’s text, Solomon revisits the vanity of labor, albeit from a different perspective – namely that of a man who works solely for himself – a man we might describe as a greedy, self-centered workaholic. Look with me, then, at verses seven and eight where Solomon says: “Then I looked again at vanity under the sun. There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, ‘And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?’ This too is vanity and it is a grievous task” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:7-8).

(a) This man is different from the lazy one described in verse five,² who “folds his hands and consumes his own flesh” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:5) – the kind of man Solomon referred to elsewhere as a “sluggard” (c.f. Proverbs 6:6a, 9a) – the kind of man who does as little work as possible, not because he can’t, but because he won’t.

On the contrary, the man in tonight text works hard – he puts in long hours – he arrives early and stays late – he works on holidays and week-ends – and when he does go home, he takes his work with him. He’s even been known to take work along on vacation. Hence, verse eight says, “there (is) no end to all his labor” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8b) – not because there’s always something to do, but because he chooses to keep on working even when he doesn’t have to.

(b) The man in tonight’s text is also different from the one described in verse four who is motivated by “rivalry”, envy or jealousy – who’s motivated by things like status and/or outward appearances – who’s motivated to keep up with and/or stay ahead of “his neighbor” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:4) when it comes to a certain standard of living and/or an affluent lifestyle – when it comes to things like clothes, cars, houses, vacations, dinner parties, country clubs, and/or what school their children are able to attend.

In contrast, the man in tonight’s text is motivated primarily by a severe case of greed – hence, verse eight says “his eyes (are) not satisfied with riches” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8c). He’s already rich, but not rich enough. Like the man Jesus spoke of Luke chapter twelve, instead of being satisfied with he has and enjoying it, he chooses to keep on working – tearing down his present barns and replacing them with bigger ones to hold all his goods (c.f. Luke 12:18) – only in the case of the man in tonight’s text, the cycle of tearing down and building bigger never ends.

(c) The man in tonight’s text is also different from the one described in verse six, who seems to have found that illusive middle ground between working too much and working to little – who by God’s grace has found that delicate balance between “two fists full of labor” and two hands “folded” in indolence (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:6b) – who has learned, for example, that family is more important than one’s occupation – that Christ is more important than one’s job – and/or that God gave man the night, plus one day in seven to rest from “all (his) work” (c.f. Exodus 20:9-11).

Sadly, the man in tonight’s text is one-dimensional – he lives to work, even though he has “neither son nor … brother” – indeed, he works so hard that he “depriv(es) (himself) of (any personal) pleasure” – he works day and night, even though there’s no one to leave it all to when he dies. No wonder King Solomon correctly concluded: “This too is vanity and … a grievous task” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8).

(2) As we reflect on what Solomon is saying, we need to remember that Scripture encourages, praises and even commands hard work – (a) not that disproportionate amount of work that leaves no time for rest – or that excessive amount of work that leaves no time for one’s family, or worship, and/or the other things of God – but work that honors Christ (c.f. Colossians 3:17), work that honors our employer (if we have one) (c.f. Ephesians 6:6-7), work that enables us to provide for our immediate and extended family (c.f. I Timothy 5:8), while also sharing with those “who (are in) need” (c.f. Ephesians 4:28).

(b) Here’s a sampling of biblical references on the importance of working hard.

Paul once told the Ephesian elders: “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard … you must help the weak … remember(ing) the words of the Lord Jesus (who) said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (c.f. Acts 20:34-35). Likewise, he reminded the Thessalonians that neither he nor any of his entourage “(ate) anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you … in order to offer ourselves as a model … so that you would follow our example” (c.f. II Thessalonians 3:8-9). In yet another place Paul praised pastors who “work hard at preaching and teaching” (c.f. I Timothy 5:17).

Elsewhere, Solomon wrote in the Book of Proverbs that “He … who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys” (c.f. Proverbs 18:9) – and again, in the form of a question and answer: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (c.f. Proverbs 22:29).

Back in the New Testament, Scripture says: “do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (c.f. Colossians 3:23) – and again: “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life (to) attend to your own business and (to) work with your hands” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:11) – and once more, this time in the form of a negative decree: “if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (c.f. II Thessalonians 3:10b).

(c) While God’s word encourages a strong work ethic, He takes a much different view of the man or woman who abuses this divine gift – i.e. whose work is motivated by selfish greed – who works hard, not so he can help others, but so he can accumulate more and more and more wealth and/or things – who works hard, not to please Christ, but so he can fulfill his own avaricious desires and cravings.

(d) In the New Testament God calls this kind of man a “fool” (c.f. Luke 12:20a) – because at death, he must give up everything he worked so hard to get (hence, the axiom is true that says, “We can’t take it with us”) (c.f. I Timothy 6:7) – because when we die everything we accumulated here on earth will go “to the man who … come(s) after (us)”, and who knows what he will do with it (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:18-21) – and because, in most cases, the man who labors excessively to accumulate all the wealth he can is, as Jesus once said, “not rich toward God” (c.f. Luke 12:21), which means he will go off into eternity completely unprepared to meet his Maker and Judge.

(3) Puritan Pastor Edward Reynolds, who helped write or formulate our Westminster Standards, offers a six-fold description of the man depicted in tonight’s text.

(a) First, he is a solitary individual – a man without family or friends – a man who lives alone,³ except for those with whom his work brings him into contact. Furthermore, we get the impression he is alone by choice – that his work has consumed him to the point where he has no time for others, no time for developing friendships or relationships – that he is so consumed by greed he can’t bear the thought of having to spend some of his wealth caring for a wife or children – or, as Reynolds put it, “he cannot endure two mouths in (the) house.”³ Hence, tonight’s text says he is “without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8a).

(b) Second, he is a true workaholic, having given himself over to what Reynolds called “excessive labor”.³ It’s not just that he works hard – it’s that the time he spends working far exceeds what’s warranted, or even necessary. Hence, our text says, “there (is) no end to all his labor” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8b).

(c) Third, he is driven by an insatiable desire to accumulate more, and more, and more, and still more³ – hence, our text says, “his eyes (are) not satisfied with riches” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8c). Reynolds said: “he (has) enough for his back, his belly, his calling, the decency of his state and condition, but … not enough for his eye.”³ And again: “he (has) a vast estate, and yet is as greedy as if he had nothing.”³

[1] Scripture says the eye is the instrument by which the sin of coveting enters our heart.³ Hence, John talks about “the lust of the eyes” that causes men and women to love the things of the world rather than the things of God (c.f. I John 2:15-16) – hence, Achan said: “I have sinned against the Lord … (for) when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them” (c.f. Joshua 7:20-21).

[2] Even though a person has everything they need, and much more besides, the covetous eye is never content.³ Hence, Solomon says in another place that, “Sheol (is) never satisfied, nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied” (c.f. Proverbs 27:20) – and later in the Book of Ecclesiastes that, “he who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 5:10). The Dickens character Ebenezer Scrooge would be an example⁴ of this kind of man – as would many present-day millionaires, who would like nothing more than to become billionaires.

[3] Solomon went through this himself – for earlier he said: “All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:10). By God’s grace, however, he also concluded that it was all “vanity and striving after wind” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 2:11) – in part because the covetous eye is a true bottomless pit (c.f. Esther 5:11-13).

(d) Fourth, Reynolds said the man in tonight’s text is characterized by “folly”.³ Even the prodigal son eventually “came to his senses” (c.f. Luke 15:17a) – even he eventually realized how foolish he had been to squander his inheritance and then take a job feeding pigs, when his father was ready to feed him and forgive him.

The man in tonight’s text is a fool, not only for choosing to become a greedy workaholic, but also because he never questions what he’s doing. As our text indicates, “he never ask(s) (himself), (‘Why am I doing this?’ or, ‘Who am I doing this for?’)” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8d). He just keeps working and working and working – gathering more and more and more – without ever being satisfied, or even pausing to enjoy what he has.

In this regard, then, he is like the people Jeremiah described, saying: “No man repented of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his course, like a horse charging into the battle” (c.f. Jeremiah 8:6) – i.e. he never changes his ways, but just keeps charging full speed ahead.

(e) Regarding the fifth point, I will let Reynolds speak for himself. He says the man in our text is characterized by his “inhumanity and self-cruelty, denying those comforts to himself, which God (has) given him, using himself worse than God would have the ox used in the law, treading out the corn, and yet muzzling himself.”³

Reynolds is referring, of course, to that passage in Deuteronomy chapter twenty-five, where God says: “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing” (c.f. Deuteronomy 25:4) – his point being, that the man in tonight’s text treats himself worse than an ox. At least an ox gets the benefit of eating what he’s threshing – this man is so consumed by greed that he works and works and works, without ever stopping to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Hence, our text says he never asks himself: “for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8d).

(f) Finally, Reynolds says the man in tonight’s text is characterized by “the uselessness (or futility) of what he’s doing”.³ It’s not like he’s “depriving (himself) of pleasure” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8) because he has a family to take care of – or that he’s not enjoying the fruits of his labor right now because he has a goal he needs to reach, after which he can cut back on the hours he works – nor is it as though he has an heir, or a foundation, or a college he wants to see benefit from the wealth he’s accumulating after he dies. This man is working strictly for himself. His unattainable objective is to “get more” and once he has more, he wants still more – more for himself – more money in the bank, or bonds in the vault, not necessarily more things in the house he might actually enjoy – and he’s willing to sacrifice every vestige of personal “pleasure” to pursue of this “vain”, “chasing the wind” objective.

(4) Do you know anyone who fits this profile? No? Suppose we took away the part about being “without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8a) – would you know anyone who fits that modified profile? Let me offer a brief description of one of the people I think tonight’s text is talking about – one application of our text (if you will).

(a) More than anything else, this man believes in the value of hard work and the inherent dignity of a job well done. He’s married and has at least three children whose pictures he carries in his wallet. He loves his wife, and thinks about more than she knows, even when he’s away at work. He works long hours – often he’s gone by six in the morning, and doesn’t get home until after seven at night.⁵

The pressures at work are so enormous it takes him an hour or two to unwind – which means he doesn’t spend much time talking with his wife or playing with his kids in the evening. He’s so tired it’s all he can do to read the paper, and watch a little television, before stumbling off to bed. His blood pressure is too high – he knows he needs to exercise – and his diet is not the best. Sometimes he snaps at his family – and always regrets it later.⁶

It’s true he works sixty to seventy hours every week, but doesn’t think of himself as a workaholic. He simply loves his job – and he’s good at it. Or, he feels he has to work those hours if he ever wants to “get to the top” of his profession. Thankfully, he’s able to bring home a good paycheck and provide nice things for his family. One of these days he plans to slow down and smell the coffee – but not today. Today he gulps his coffee, and heads for the door long before his children are awake or his wife even knows he’s leaving.⁶

One evening he comes home and his family is gone. While he was at work, the kids grew up and moved away – his wife went back to college, graduated, and found a career of her own – and now the house is empty. He can’t believe it. The Board of Directors just named him CEO – but there’s no one to share the good news with. He made it to the top, only to find himself alone – only to find that “this too is vanity and … a grievous task” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8e) – because the truth is, he was only working for himself the whole time!

(b) Do you know someone like that? Are any of us like that? If so, we need to heed Solomon’s counsel in verse six – that “one hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:6) – i.e. that one hand working to care for our family, and help the poor is better than “two fists full of labor” devoted solely to working for ourselves – that “one hand full of rest”, enabling us to spend time with our family and donate time to the Lord’s work, is better than “two fists full of labor” that never allows us to enjoy some of life’s basic God-given pleasures.

(c) We all need to ask ourselves, “For whom am I laboring?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 4:8d). Even if you’re retired, you need to ask yourself, “Why am I doing the things I’m doing?” Am I doing them just to please myself? Or am I doing them to please Christ? Only in the case of the latter do we have the promise that says: “your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (c.f. I Corinthians 15:58c).