Friendship, Reverence and Money: Eccl. 4:9-6:12
Friendship, Reverence, and Money; 4:9-6:12
Central Verse:
“For it they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help…A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:10-12
Central Truth:
Within the section of verses we hear one of the most popular expressions in weddings, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The concept that Qoheleth is bringing forward is not a defense of marriage; even though it is applicable, it is based on the reality of life in ancient times. For instance, the wilderness is a dangerous place; in fact, it still is today and going out in numbers is still the best safety net for camping and any wilderness adventure.
It is actually basic science that a threefold cord is stronger. When I go camping, one of the items that I never go without is rope. If I have my choice of any rope I can take, I take para-cord. Para-cord contains 4-7 separate very strong strands, and is good for almost everything in camping and wilderness survival. It is so versatile that the cord can be taken apart and the strands used for other purposes such as stitching, fishing, or tying items.
Every pericope from this reading points to a central theme in scripture: community. Community is at stake in Qoheleth’s statement about a “threefold cord,” as well as in the thoughts that follow on taking religion seriously (5:2-9), and with the problems of wealth (5:10-6:12).
In scripture, community is built into who we are. In the book of Genesis, God saw that Adam was alone and created Eve so that Adam would have someone to share with. Then we have the story of the patriarchs and their foundation in community which eventually evolved into the nation of Israel. We see Jesus founding a community of believers and the development of that community with the writings of Paul. The founder of the United Methodist Church, John Wesley, said “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” Community is essential to the nature of the church.
Food for Thought (Questions about the text)
What is the value of seeing community in the light of biblical history?
Why would Qoheleth, who seems to have no concern for traditional religion, voice the importance of taking religion seriously? (5:2-9)
What are the problems with wealth contained in 5:10-6:12?
How do Capitalism and Socialism stand up to the concerns about wealth raised by Qoheleth?
Connections: (Time with our society)
Community is desired in our society today. “Why can’t I meet anyone?” is a question that is periodically put to me by non-Christian friends when they are looking to have meaningful relationships with other people. Our society today is built in such a way that we interact electronically, and what we are learning is that email, text messaging, and facebooking are not replacements for actual community.
As people seek community, it is important for Christians to remember the biblical story around community, and the inclusiveness that is central to that. The church is the community of God here on earth, to bring people closer to God. Too often churches forget the purpose of community, and melt down in internal conflicts and disputes, instead of being the community of God.
If we lose the point of community, we lose the strength that Qoheleth speaks about, and we lose the ability to support one another. People in society and in the church are seeking friendships. One of the popular shows of the last thirty years was “Cheers,” whose theme song goes:
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
(Other lyrics that never actually aired)
Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
All those night when you've got no lights,
The check is in the mail;
And your little angel
Hung the cat up by it's tail;
And your third fiance didn't show;
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.
Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead;
The morning's looking bright;
And your shrink ran off to Europe,
And didn't even write;
And your husband wants to be a girl;
Be glad there's one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name.
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came...”
The question becomes, how do we reach out and give people the community that they need?
Application:
John Wesley states “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” In pairs discuss what this means to you.
“When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.” - John Wesley How does this statement compare to what is voiced in our society, and what is voiced by Qoheleth in this text?
Close in Prayer
Central Verse:
“For it they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help…A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:10-12
Central Truth:
Within the section of verses we hear one of the most popular expressions in weddings, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The concept that Qoheleth is bringing forward is not a defense of marriage; even though it is applicable, it is based on the reality of life in ancient times. For instance, the wilderness is a dangerous place; in fact, it still is today and going out in numbers is still the best safety net for camping and any wilderness adventure.
It is actually basic science that a threefold cord is stronger. When I go camping, one of the items that I never go without is rope. If I have my choice of any rope I can take, I take para-cord. Para-cord contains 4-7 separate very strong strands, and is good for almost everything in camping and wilderness survival. It is so versatile that the cord can be taken apart and the strands used for other purposes such as stitching, fishing, or tying items.
Every pericope from this reading points to a central theme in scripture: community. Community is at stake in Qoheleth’s statement about a “threefold cord,” as well as in the thoughts that follow on taking religion seriously (5:2-9), and with the problems of wealth (5:10-6:12).
In scripture, community is built into who we are. In the book of Genesis, God saw that Adam was alone and created Eve so that Adam would have someone to share with. Then we have the story of the patriarchs and their foundation in community which eventually evolved into the nation of Israel. We see Jesus founding a community of believers and the development of that community with the writings of Paul. The founder of the United Methodist Church, John Wesley, said “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” Community is essential to the nature of the church.
Food for Thought (Questions about the text)
What is the value of seeing community in the light of biblical history?
Why would Qoheleth, who seems to have no concern for traditional religion, voice the importance of taking religion seriously? (5:2-9)
What are the problems with wealth contained in 5:10-6:12?
How do Capitalism and Socialism stand up to the concerns about wealth raised by Qoheleth?
Connections: (Time with our society)
Community is desired in our society today. “Why can’t I meet anyone?” is a question that is periodically put to me by non-Christian friends when they are looking to have meaningful relationships with other people. Our society today is built in such a way that we interact electronically, and what we are learning is that email, text messaging, and facebooking are not replacements for actual community.
As people seek community, it is important for Christians to remember the biblical story around community, and the inclusiveness that is central to that. The church is the community of God here on earth, to bring people closer to God. Too often churches forget the purpose of community, and melt down in internal conflicts and disputes, instead of being the community of God.
If we lose the point of community, we lose the strength that Qoheleth speaks about, and we lose the ability to support one another. People in society and in the church are seeking friendships. One of the popular shows of the last thirty years was “Cheers,” whose theme song goes:
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
(Other lyrics that never actually aired)
Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
All those night when you've got no lights,
The check is in the mail;
And your little angel
Hung the cat up by it's tail;
And your third fiance didn't show;
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.
Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead;
The morning's looking bright;
And your shrink ran off to Europe,
And didn't even write;
And your husband wants to be a girl;
Be glad there's one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name.
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came...”
The question becomes, how do we reach out and give people the community that they need?
Application:
John Wesley states “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” In pairs discuss what this means to you.
“When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.” - John Wesley How does this statement compare to what is voiced in our society, and what is voiced by Qoheleth in this text?
Close in Prayer
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