Hand Of God

Ecclesiastes 2:20-25 - So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

Ecclesiastes 1:18 - For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Job 2:10 - He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 - Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Application:

· Does my wisdom (without God) lead to grief and sorrow?
· Do I see my trials as discipline culminating in spiritual gain?
· Does the prospect of divine praise or blame give direction to my heart and discrimination to my eyes?
· Do I enjoy life?
· Do I love and reverence God (fear Him and keep His commandments)?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Work With Your Hands

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 - And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Ephesians 4:28 - He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 - For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Conclusions:

• It is not enough to cease from sin; one must do good
• The former thief must now help those in need
• Pagan parallels to 2 Thessalonians 3:10 are in the form, “He who does not work does not eat.”
• Paul gives an imperative, “Let him not eat”, if he does not work
• The Christian must not be a loafer
• Busybodies are worse than idle; they interfere with other people’s affairs, a problem to which idleness often leads

Application:

• Do you help those in need?
• Are you a loafer?
• Do you interfere with other people's affairs?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible