Loneliness at the Top: Choosing Contentment Over Achievement
Explore the theme of loneliness at the top as depicted in Ecclesiastes 4:4-16, emphasizing the pursuit of contentment over relentless achievement. Delve into the futility of endless toil driven by envy, advocating for a balanced approach to work and social pressure, with insights on opting out and finding tranquility in a competitive world.
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Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Ecclesiastes = Qoheleth = Preacher/Teacher/Philosopher 1:1-11 Life under the sun = meaningless 1:12-2:26 Trivial pursuits 3:1-15 The seasons of life 3:16-4:3 Injustice everywhere
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Karoshi
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Karoshi What drives the workaholic?
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Karoshi What drives the workaholic? Work more wisely, not for longer or harder!
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out?
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out? See v.5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out? See v.5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves Not return to hippy movement
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out? See v.5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves Not return to hippy movement Biblically fools = those who deny God
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out? See v.5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves Not return to hippy movement Biblically fools = those who deny God Biblical work ethic
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out? See v.5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves Not return to hippy movement Biblically fools = those who deny God Biblical work ethic Col.3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). The right balance Social media Peer pressure Opting out? See v.5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves Not return to hippy movement Biblically fools = those who deny God Biblical work ethic Col.3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Solomon s solution: Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind v.6.
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). Again, I saw something meaningless under the sun: there was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. For whom am I toiling, he asked, and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment? This too is meaningless a miserable business! (vv.7-8).
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). Fictitious example
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). Fictitious example Obsession = easy
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12)
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) Friends improve results: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour (v.9).
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) Friends improve results: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour (v.9). Friends help in trouble: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up (v.10).
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) Friends improve results: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour (v.9). Friends help in trouble: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up (v.10). Friends warm each other: Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm (v.11).
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) Friends improve results: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour (v.9). Friends help in trouble: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up (v.10). Friends warm each other: Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm (v.11). Friends support one another: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves (v.12).
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) 4. Choose influence over popularity (4:13-16) Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king s successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (4:13-16).
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) 4. Choose influence over popularity (4:13-16) Popularity doesn t last!
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) 4. Choose influence over popularity (4:13-16) Popularity doesn t last! Penthouse or doghouse?
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) 4. Choose influence over popularity (4:13-16) Lessons? Effort = Hebel morning mist/vapour/futile
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) 4. Choose influence over popularity (4:13-16) Lessons? Effort = Hebel morning mist/vapour/futile Work smarter
Loneliness at the top Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Choose contentment over achievement (4:4-6). 2. Choose relationships over riches (4:7-8). 3. Choose friendships wisely (4:9-12) 4. Choose influence over popularity (4:13-16) Lessons? Effort = Hebel morning mist/vapour/futile Work smarter Serve the Lord: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord (Col.3:23).
