Ecclesiastes 4:8-12
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—a miserable business!
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together,
they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Reflection
In this Scripture from the book of Ecclesiastes, we see evidence of our need for relationships. This Scripture reminds me of a statement that I heard Mother Theresa once give in an interview. They asked Mother Theresa why she was bringing her ministry to the United States because it is the richest nation in the world. She challenged the interviewer to show her a person that was alone, had no friends, and does not know the love of God and she would show them the poorest person in the world. We all need relationships. Make a list of five people who you could form an intentional relationship with. Pray about these names.
