Focus Chapters:
- Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
- Ecclesiastes 2-6
Standout Verse(s):
Ecclesiastes 4:4, 6:9 NLT
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Observation (s):
- Envy of their neighbours can motivate people to success.
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors.
- Enjoy what you have.
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have.
- Constantly chasing success without enjoying the fruits of your labour is a meaningless endeavour.
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Application:
Chasing success due to envy is a never-ending unsatisfactory cycle. There is always something that will be better than what you have. According to the standards of the world, the definition of success changes daily. Today your neighbour’s success is determined by their ability to drive a fancy car. Tomorrow, it’s their ability to own their own home in an established area. Next year, it is something quite outlandish and untenable.
Solomon was on to something when he exhorted others to enjoy what they have today. Enjoy what you have now! While it is okay to dream and chase better, don’t forget to enjoy the hard-won harvest of today. Before you know it, you are too old to enjoy your labours or you have reached the end of your time on earth and have not enjoyed the life or blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon you. Your efforts would have been for naught – meaningless, like chasing the wind.
