"More than other idols, personal success and achievement lead to a sense that we ourselves are god, that our security and value rest in our own wisdom, strength, and performance. To be the very best at what you do, to be at the top of the heap, means no one is like you. You are supreme." (Tim Keller, "Counterfeit Gods", The Seduction of Success)
Ecclesiastes 2:4-26 – What Is the Value of Work?
- What does the Teacher say about work in verses 21-23?
- What would he say about workaholic tendencies in our society?
- How could his perspective on work help with this mentality?
- What shift do you see in the way the Teacher views work in verses 24-26?
- If you were to view your work as a gift from God to be enjoyed, how could that change your attitude about it?
- The passage describes how hard work leading to monetary success can be frustrating. What kind of satisfaction can work lead to?
- Take a moment and assess your work situation, whether that work is outside the home or in it. Are you content with your work? Do you enjoy it or hate it? Why or why not?
- Would you consider yourself a workaholic? How would your spouse or close friends characterize you?
- In what ways do you relate Christ to your work situation? In what ways do you tend to keep work separate from your spiritual life?
- How can finding your ultimate meaning in Christ help you have a more balanced perspective about work?
- What Scripture passages can help you maintain that balance?
Update, discussion from YH:
What about work/success is satisfying?
- Feel proud for working hard
- Feels good when we have something to show for our work
- Approval or getting praised for it
- Finding worth in it
- Seeing the fruit from it
- It doesn't last
- Feels good for awhile, but then you want more
- Reward for doing a good job is more work
- Endless
- Competitive
- Wanting to take
- You can "attain" it and think you have control over it
- It is expected of us -- HAVE to achieve success
- Becomes a part of who you are -- work defines us
- Pride
- "Owning it" in an unhealthy way
- When we are defensive about our roles/work
- Success can be many different versions
- You are not your job
- Think about success in terms of where you can change your world --- not just a "job"
- Treating what you have honorably
- Remember it's a process (not just the "end point")
- Contentment
- Steward of God's investment
- Romans 15:17 - "In Christ Jesus then I have reason to be proud of my work for God"
- Right level of "ownership" of what God has given us
- To *not* use what He's given us to glorify Him is a dishonor
- Jeremiah 12:5 - “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?"
- Process makes us strong
- Success leads to reward -- but we don't "own" the reward!
- Trust to God's timing
- Just because we pray and act, doesn't mean we get
- Many times we are like, "Okay God is it A, B, or C?" and He's like, "42"
- God's version of success is often not like ours or the world's
- Ask: what can I do to be successful *in this very moment*?
- Allow for improvisation
- No procrastination :)
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