Ecclesiastes 4
Devotional:
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8)
Ecclesiastes reflects here on people who work only to collect riches. They have no desire to do good for others or honor God. This reminds me of the character Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He had no concern and little use for people. He earned money with the express purpose of storing it. It was only after his folly was impressed upon him in a dream that he saw the error of his empty life. In a joyous effort to repent, Scrooge fulfilled the meaning of his first name, Ebenezer, which means “stone of help” (1 Samuel 7:12). He became a rock for his employee, Bob Cratchit, and helped his struggling family. How do you use your gifts to lift up others?
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8)
Ecclesiastes reflects here on people who work only to collect riches. They have no desire to do good for others or honor God. This reminds me of the character Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He had no concern and little use for people. He earned money with the express purpose of storing it. It was only after his folly was impressed upon him in a dream that he saw the error of his empty life. In a joyous effort to repent, Scrooge fulfilled the meaning of his first name, Ebenezer, which means “stone of help” (1 Samuel 7:12). He became a rock for his employee, Bob Cratchit, and helped his struggling family. How do you use your gifts to lift up others?
Pray it:
Father, thank you for the gift of other people in this world and in my life. Use me and my labors in life to be a blessing to others in your name. Amen.
Father, thank you for the gift of other people in this world and in my life. Use me and my labors in life to be a blessing to others in your name. Amen.
Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Posted in Cover to Cover
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Matthew 12Matthew 13Matthew 14Matthew 15Matthew 16Matthew 17Matthew 18Matthew 19Matthew 20Matthew 21Matthew 22Matthew 23Matthew 24Matthew 25Matthew 26Matthew 27Matthew 28Deuteronomy 1Deuteronomy 2Deuteronomy 3Deuteronomy 4Deuteronomy 5Deuteronomy 6Deuteronomy 7Deuteronomy 8Deuteronomy 9Deuteronomy 10
February
Deuteronomy 11Deuteronomy 12Deuteronomy 13Deuteronomy 14Deuteronomy 15Deuteronomy 16Deuteronomy 17Deuteronomy 18Deuteronomy 19Deuteronomy 20Deuteronomy 21Deuteronomy 22Deuteronomy 23Deuteronomy 24Deuteronomy 25Deuteronomy 26Deuteronomy 27Deuteronomy 28Deuteronomy 29Deuteronomy 30Deuteronomy 31Deuteronomy 32Deuteronomy 33Deuteronomy 34
March
No Comments