Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-9 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What is described as meaningless in these verses?
2. What does the writer say is better?
3. Why is this better?
Reflect
Ecclesiastes is a book written with the goal of pushing us toward greater wisdom. Throughout the book, the author uses the word “meaningless” 38 times, emphasizing the fact that so much of what we pour our efforts into will eventually vaporize and disappear like smoke. The answer, according to these verses, is intentional community.
We were never meant to walk through life alone. There is power in having people beside us and behind us. And as Ecclesiastes says, community is a critical part of success in the Christian life. Rather than prioritizing wealth, career, status, or pleasure, which are all “meaningless,” we’re called to invest in helping others succeed.
What does success look like for followers of Jesus? It’s summarized in this question: “Am I looking more like Jesus, one degree at a time, because of the people around me?” This applies to all areas of life – at work, as a spouse, parent, and friend. The most successful people have intentional community that spurs them on toward reflecting Jesus in every space they enter. We need each other to succeed.
Respond
What small daily choices can you make to build intentional community and help someone else succeed in looking more like Jesus? Write down at least two practical things you can do today, and follow through on one of them.