Two are better than one
Eccl 4:1-16 Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done. Vs 9
Introduction
The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon about life, human life on earth or in this world. It is about life’s purpose or meaning, its nature of repetitiveness, work as something that is expected and rewarding, what gives true pleasure, what the whole duty of man is and ultimately his accountability to God. In his conclusion the Preacher, as he was called, stated the end of all matters, that, whether your portion or lot is the best or not, whether you achieved your purpose or dreams or not, whether you were rich or not, whether you were known or unknown, God will bring everyone’s deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil Eccl 12:14
But Chapter 4, where we have read, focusses specifically on work. Work is rewarding… idleness too. While work is a positive thing and idleness negative, there are downsides of work too.
- A man is envied for his work when he succeeds and his promoted. That is a reward of a successful hardworking man whether he is ambitious or not
- Work, hard work without rest is travail or labor. A painful exertion.
- Success can be achieved though its motivation is competition or envy? What is the sense in that or what is to be gained by that?
- Any work that does not give satisfaction is vain. Work that leads to complain and grumbling, why exert energy in it?
While all these seem not commendable, worse is the hard work of a man who is alone vs 8 “For example, some people don’t have friends or family. But they are never satisfied with what they own, and they never stop working to get more. They should ask themselves, “Why am I always working to have more? Who will get what I leave behind?” What a senseless and miserable life!” ERV
It is for this reason that the Preacher declared, “two are better than one…” vs 9
I want to congratulate you (mention names of couples) and all those who have married or are engaged to be married and those also intending to marry. I congratulate you because your labor will not be a waste. Your work will not be senseless. Your life will not be miserable. For those who have chosen not to marry, my counsel is that you pour yourself in someone else who will carry your work further. May our labors not be senseless. May our lives not be miserable. Amen
Why are two better than one?
Reading this verse from several version, we are able to draw many insights and applications of what the Preacher meant by “Two are better than one…”
10 Reasons two are better than one
- They get more work done
- They work more effectively because of better ideas/input/suggestions
- They help each other succeed
- They get more results out of their work
- They share the work
- They share the satisfaction or enjoyment from the outcome because of friendship
- The other carries on when one passes on
- They help each other in time of falling, weakness, and discouragement
- They fire each other up; when one develops cold feet
- They can resist an opponent
But I want to conclude by looking at what are the reasons that two people are not able to experience or enjoy the blessings of these partnership or relationship. It is not every union of two persons that have produced the best results. It is not automatic that because you are two, it is taken for granted that your outcomes will be as listed above. Unless you are intentional and work hard together, the natural propensity of man will set in and your results will be far from what the Bible describes. So, let us look at the things that you must avoid if this union or partnership will bear Biblical results.
When two are not better than one?
1. When there is no respect for each other. Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they’re different from you or you don’t agree with them. Respect each other’s feelings, abilities, and opinions even when they are different from yours. Learn to show gratitude (Say ‘Thank you’ with sincerity); apologize (say ‘Sorry’ with meaning); and show courtesy (say ‘Please’ with humility)
2. When there is pride- the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance. It leads to self-centeredness, a quality that is absent in love. Don’t let everything revolve around you.
3. When there is envy and jealousy– Envy is an emotion which occurs when a person lacks another’s quality, skill, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it. Aristotle defined envy as pain at the sight of another’s good fortune, stirred by “those who have what we ought to have”. Envy and jealousy lead to strife and every evil thing.
4. When there is division or disunity– difference or disagreement between two or more people, typically producing tension. Causes of division may be many but its root is in the mismanagement of differences.
To couples I say, respect each other, esteem each other highly, celebrate each other and manage your differences well. May the Lord give you a happy, joyful and fruitful home. May your union be celebrated by all when they see the good outcomes of your labors. May the Lord bless your union indeed. Amen!
Acknowledgement– All definitions are taken from Wikipedia