Chasing after the Wind, Ecc. 4:4amp

 Devo 3/28/25…. 

Ecclesiastes 4:4 AMP

[4] I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind. 

Why are you worried about what your neighbor has or what they're doing? Who cares? We should not be trying to out do our fellow brothers and sisters. The Word teaches us that we are to want the best for our neighbors. Anything you work for on this planet lasts for a moment because in the end when you leave it stays.  Yes, accomplishments are good but not for the purposes of beating or hurting; or getting ahead of your neighbor.  They're for the purposes of uplifting and encouraging your neighbor. 

Philippians 2:3-4 AMP

[3] Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. [4] Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Ephesians 5:2 AMP

[2] and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. [Ezek 20:41]

Acquiring possessions means nothing unless you give them away to those who need it. Everything we acquire is all vanity as Ecclesiastes teaches us because it all stays here. Don't be afraid to give to those who have a need, even your enemies. 

Acts 2:44-45 AMP

[44] And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole]. [45] And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. 

Let us labor and use our skills to do what Christ did while He was on earth: to serve.

#prodigalpastor #serve #neighbor #rival #give #devotional #vanity