Theme:         REFLECTION ON WEALTH AND POSSESSION

Text:              Ecclesiastes 4:9-16

By:                 UTO, JOEL

Download Lesson

The preacher who is believed to be Solomon is teaching us, so far, the meaning of life and searches for lasting value in life. He considers wisdom, knowledge, pleasure, work and time but comes to the unsettled view “life is meaningless (Vanity)”. This view has been affirmed by James in the New Testament “…For what is your life? it is even a vapour  that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” James 4:14, The word of God corroborates itself, Therefore we are cross matching the realities of life in the light of what the preacher wrote many years ago, though the word of God is ever, new!

In this Ecclesiastes chapter four the preacher reassumes the consideration of the case of the abuse of power to show there is no happiness in this world in grandeur and authority enjoyed. Oppression with power was seen as he oppresses the oppressed to uncomfortable level such that the dead, the unborn persons are preferred to them both (the oppressor and the oppressed) because all is meaningless. Diligence and industry brings envy of others but some put their happiness in sloth and ease.

However verse 9-12 gives a glimpse of hope. But of course, this verse nine gives a contrast to verse eight in this discussion.

Today, we are examining the benefit or beauty of two people`s togetherness in labour. We are reading from the new living translation of the holy bible in this study.

V 9-16” Two people are better off than one, for they can help each succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back- to- back and conquer .Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuse all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless-like chasing the wind”.

1. Verses 9-12 “Two are better than one”- The proverb which says “two heads are better than one” or “no man is an island”, would help to understand the thought of Solomon in this verse. Many allude to “two are better than one” as referring to marriage. Well, this certainly can be applied to the relationship within marriage but it is by no means limited to the union of marriage. It is a principle that applies to any two people or aspect of life.

To be alone is not necessarily  bad or seen as negative; but two people in a relationship of work of life endeavours is better; Better as used in the passage implied a more fruit way to live alongside other people. Solomon describes different aspect in life when two are better than one; such as in work, during moments of weakness; basic survival and during moments of attack. Honestly, these are general life circumstances which its truth can really be applied to any part of life. The word TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) is developed against the backdrop of Solomon statement. Members should work together to further the work of the church in evangelism, edification and good works. Christ demonstrated this in sending two by two in the mission work. The report of two or one with God is better. Walking in two on a journey reduce the thinking of the farness as people walk alongside. When two work together, you cover the weakness of each other. When students hold tutorial together, the understanding of a difficult area explained by one is passed over for the understanding of the other. So the principle of two are better working together to achieve is obvious and of great advantage.

In moment of temptation it is for better to have someone beside you to keep you accountable and help to prevent you from falling into sin. Again, when two brothers visit a sister in a visitation exercise prevent the temptation of fornication. In moments of despair, it`s for better to have someone alongside you to walk through the pains with and to help you back on your feet.

The statement of two being better than one Is true in many different circumstances all across time.

1. Biblical Reasons that two are better than one:
2. God himself is a relational God. He exists within the Godhead of, God the father, the son and the Holy spirit are in an everlasting relationship with one another. As an image-bearer of God, we are meant to live with one another in the body of Christ as to show the glory of God to share His message.
3. The gathering of Christians is also beneficial to us individually. we Are to stay in unity together and to lift each other, encourage each other, bear one another burden.

     Verse 12 – This is implied to be the unity between yourself, God and another person. It is working together with shared unity in Christ that bonding become stronger.

 B    Verses 13 – 16 – Fame and power are considered useless .when a man is in power of authority, people flood around him. And when he leaves nobody flood around him. Leaders should not feel that they are all in all. Power is transient, life is vanity.

Conclusion: it is often said that when you eat alone, you die alone. When two people work or labour together the success can be fruitful than one. The principle would be a sure bet among the children of God.

Download Lesson