Working, Enjoying and Prospering!

Tags: pvl

WORKING, ENJOYING AND PROSPERING!
(Eccl. 4:1 – 5:20)?
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 26 July 2009

I. THE PROBLEMS OF WORK (Eccl. 4:1-16)?

1. The Problem of Oppression (4:1-3; 5:8-9)?

“I saw the tears of the oppressed … and they have no comforter” (4:1)?

WHAT IS WORK?

Wrong Doctrine – Work is opressive; a curse.
Cf. 1 Cor. 15:58; Lk. 4:18

Wrong Thinking – Work is futile; workers are weak
Cf. Neh. 4:1

2. The Problem of Envy (:4)?

WHY WORK?
What makes people work? Envy and ambition are the driving force behind work
1 Cor. 10:31 Do ALL for the glory of God

3. The Problem of Balance (4:6)?

WORKING HARD OR STRIVING?
Work and Rest – 6 to 1 ratio

4. The Problem of Isolation (4:7-8, 12-16)?

WORK RELATIONSHIPS
There are a lot of lonely people who sacrificed their lives for their jobs and have ended up all
alone… yet they kept working for more, more and more.

5. The Problem of Discontent (5:8-20)?

WORK ATTITUDE
Discontent keeps us from enjoying life and work. The more we have the more we want.

II. ENJOYING THE FRUIT OF YOUR LABOR (Eccl 5:18-20)

The Gift of Enjoyment (5:18, 19)
The ability to enjoy life is a divine gift from God. God wants you to enjoy your Work. He does,
very much!
It is a blessing from God to eat, drink, and enjoy your work. It is good to enjoy some material
pleasures in life – within reason and moderation.

“To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God (5:19)?
This means God wants us to enjoy life within the means our labor affords.
Greatest enjoyment – to give to God the fruit of our labor and to share it with others.

III. PROSPERING IN YOUR WORK

Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them
(Eccl. 5:19 RSV)

1. Be Thankful
Enjoyment does not come from possessions or from riches. Nor does it come from companionship,
from popularity and fame, from the approval and admiration of others. Enjoyment comes from
knowing the living God and taking everything from His hand with thanksgiving

“For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in
his heart” (5:20)?

2. Live Today.
Do not think or even talk about the past. Enjoy what is handed to you today, day-by-day; that is the
secret of life.
Not “one of these days” but today.

3. Be Occupied.
Gen. 6:22 Thus Noah DID …
James 1:25 Faith and Works. Do nothing, get nothing
Joshua 1:8 … whatever you DO will prosper
Don’t just sit back and wish for prosperity. Step out.

4. Shout JOY
Heart filled with God’s joy.