Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 47

"Every skilful work a man is envied by his neighbour"

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:4

THE WORK OF A SKILFUL PERSON

Many people desire to excel in their work. This is not unusual nor undesirable! But not all are superbly gifted. A truly skilful artisan is rare.

“Again, I saw that for all toil and every skilful work
a man is envied by his neighbour.
This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 4:4

1. “Again, I saw that for all toil and every skilful work a man”

a) The word “again”

i) Solomon continues to study life.

ii) His approach is to make careful observations of life.

b) “Toil”

i) All work would involve “toil”.

ii) No work is actually “easy”.

iii) It suggests “much hard labour”.

c) “Every skilful work”

i) Out of a multitude of workers, one individual may stand out.

ii) His work is classified as “skilful”.

iii) This makes him different from the average worker.

2. “Is envied by his neighbour”

a) If the individual had remained “average” no envy would be felt.

b) But when someone becomes “skilful” a number of things could occur:

i) Envy would now arise.

ii) A wrong competitive spirit could arise.

iii) Resentment may be felt.

c) A more desirable response would be welcome:

i) Delight for the individual who has become skilful.

ii) Congratulatory words to be given.

iii) Positive reinforcement rather than negativity.

3. “This also is vanity and grasping for the wind”

a) Negative response can be distressing.

b) It makes the individual wonder if it is worthwhile to do well.

c) Success in life is anything but straightforward.

d) Once again, Solomon declares his sense of despair: “This also is vanity and grasping for wind.”