Bryce Harrison continues our study in the book of Ecclesiastes, looking at Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12.

All labour and skillful work is only done in the selfish pursuit of getting ahead – due to jealousy and competition. People work hard and compile wealth and achievements – so that they might compare favourably to the wealth and achievements of their neighbour. But the Teacher says, “This too is futile. Like striving to catch the wind.” It is futile to be poor and weak and small – you will just be oppressed and overrun and at the mercy of the big, strong, and rich! But it’s futile to be big, strong, and rich as well! For one, it all just comes from jealousy and competition – bigger than who? Stronger than who? Richer than who? But also, consider these contradictory proverbs. The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. Laziness is pointless. When you cease to work, you only bring poverty on yourself. But, it is better to have one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind! In other words, better to have less stuff but be happy with it than to have more stuff but be eaten by worry and spend all your time working. Is it better to have less stuff? No. The oppressed are in tears and there is no one to comfort them. Is it better to have more stuff? No. It all just comes from vain jealousy. So, is it actually better to have less stuff? No, only the fool folds his arms and lets poverty come upon him. So then, having more stuff actually is better? No. Better to have a little and get to rest than to exhaust yourself to obtain more.