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The Vanity of Hard Labor / Selfish Labor

Sermon Title: The Vanity of Hard Labor/Selfish Labor
Sermon Text: Ecclesiastes 4:4-12

Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to follow a biblical view of labor.

Sermon Proposition: There are 4 ways selfish labor is grasping after the wind.

 

I.          The vanity of labor motivated by envy. V.4 (Eccl 3:13; 5:19; Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:22-25)

 

A modern cynic has written, “I’ve tried everything that life has to offer, but all I see is one guy trying to outdo another in a futile attempt at happiness.”

Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

 
II.        The vanity of labor motivated by evasiveness. V.5-6
 

H.C. Leupold, “Rather would I have my ease though I posses but little, than acquire more and have all the frustration that goes with it.”

            Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

            Proverbs 16:26 The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Acts 20:34 "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

1 Corinthians 4:12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

 
III.       The vanity of labor motivated by excessiveness. V.7-8
 
            A.        The symbols of greed or excessiveness.

Proverbs 30:16 The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water -- And the fire never says, "Enough!"

            B.        The vanity of greed or excessiveness.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

            C.        The warning of greed or excessiveness. (Luke 12:13-15)
 
IV.       The value of labor motivated by embracement. V.9-12
 

            A.        Illustrated by the value of fellowship and partnership. V.9-10 (Phil. 2:1-4)

            B.        Illustrated by the value of friendship and socializing. V.11 (Acts 2:41-47)

            C.        Illustrated by the value of protection when attacked. V.12a

D.        Illustrated by the value of strength in numbers that are united. V.12b

Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing -- Life forevermore.