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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Ecclesiastes 4:6
Comments
Having considered the two extremes to which men go in their instability, Solomon summarises the situation. When it comes to our attitude to success in this world and the acquisition of its goods, it is better to be content with less, with a reasonable amount, than to aim to gather as much as possible. Striving after excellence attracts human attention, and with it comes envy. Toil and the development of skill may well enable a man to acquire reputation and wealth in his lifetime, but the turmoil that inevitably follows makes the whole thing pointless. To have both hands full of hard-earned riches is not good when what comes with it is striving after wind because the heart is set on what can never be truly obtained. It is better to have that relative peace and quiet that comes when we escape chasing human admiration and being the target of others’ ill feeling.
Application
But how can man attain contentment? We are driven by powerful forces from within. What is the secret of being satisfied with what we have, and not constantly eyeing our neighbour, or being compelled to try to outdo others? If this world is all there is, then of course we want as much of it as we can get? Worldliness is bound to lead to strife and envy, for we are competing with each other in a scramble for limited resources. The Christian has his treasure in heaven where no thief can take it from him, but the person without God has no opportunity to rest.
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