8th February 2024

8th February 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ecclesiastes 4v5)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom and whilst it is an easier read than Proverbs, Solomon occasionally drops little pithy proverbs into the text of Ecclesiastes. One of those is “The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.” (v5). At first glance this is a fairly gruesome image but Solomon’s point is simply that it is a foolish man who refuses to work. This fool “folds his hands” or we might say he doesn’t lift a finger. Eventually such an individual will have nothing to live on and he will waste away or “eat his own flesh”.


By this stage we know that Solomon has considered the world of work and highlighted its vanity. Life is more than work and trying to hold tightly to your career is like trying to catch the wind. Even so, the wise King was not anti-work and nor should be the wise Christian. It is possible to find meaning and joy in our work as we do it to the glory of God. Furthermore, there is dignity in all kinds of work.


The brain surgeon, the window cleaner, the farmer, the teacher, the shop assistant, the care worker and every kind of job you can imagine has value in human society. In his song “Subterranean Homesick Blues” Bob Dylan lamented that after “twenty years of schooling they put you on the day shift.” I’m perfectly prepared for Bob Dylan to email me and correct my understanding of his song but it seems like he’s saying “what’s the point of all that education if it ends with you doing insignificant work?”


Let me suggest another path. Work is a good thing and it is a foolish person who folds their hands and refuses to play a part in society. The Christian can and should take pleasure in their work and strive to be the best employee they can be. You might earn a fortune or you might end up on the day shift. Regardless, you should work not for a human boss or human praise but the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfold those hands and bless the society in which God has placed you. “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3v17)  


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q63 Which is the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
​