Ecclesiastes 4

“There is one alone, without companion: he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.” (Ecclesiastes 4:8, NKJV)

Solomon pictures a lonely man without any friends. How did he get this way? We assume that he isolated himself. Maybe he had once opened his heart to others, but they burned him and left him bitter. Now it was easier for him to isolate than to risk getting hurt again. But is that wise?

Solomon also wrote:

“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire. He rages against all wise judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1, NKJV)

Many people want to be left alone to pursue their own ends. But this is unwise because we were created to be social beings. We were made to give to others and to receive from them. We need the strength of others where we are weak, and we need to strengthen others where they are weak. We thrive in community.

But what a tragedy when someone overworks himself to get rich and yet has no one to share it with. He amasses so much, but it brings him no happiness. And who will get his wealth when he passes?

Once two brothers were fighting over the family inheritance, and one of them wanted Jesus to settle the argument. Jesus replied:

“‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” (Luke 12:14–15, NIV)

If life does not come from the abundance of our possessions, then where does it come from? It comes from the riches of our relationships: first, our relationship with God, and then our relationships with others. There are many ways to build relationships with others. We can invite people to our home and fix a meal for them. We can listen carefully to them and offer to help them. We can pray for them. We can do things with them. In short, we can serve them for their welfare. If we do this, then we will make many friends and become rich in relationships.

While we can’t take money or possessions with us, our relationships last forever!