The document discusses giving up chasing after meaningless pursuits. It says: 1) We need to give up the "envy chase", as all labor stems from envy of others and leads to an empty chase. 2) We long for possessions and approval, but it is better to find fulfillment with modest means through community rather than an isolating pursuit of wealth. 3) We need to give up the "workaholic chase", as working solely for wealth leaves one questioning life's purpose; partnership and community provide mutual support.

1. THE CHASE
Giving Up The Chase The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
February 12-13, 2011 Ecclesiastes 4:5
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I
2. We need to give up the “______________ _________.”
saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side
of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. [2] And I declared that the dead,
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. [3] But better
Ecclesiastes 4:6
than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under
the sun. [4] And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of
We long for…
his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. [5] The fool folds
his hands and ruins himself. [6] Better one handful with tranquillity than two • ________________.
handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. [7] Again I saw something
meaningless under the sun: [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 3. We need to give up the “____________ ________.”
than one, because they have a good return for their work: [10] If one falls down,
his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him For whom am I toiling… And why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?...
up! [11] Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep Ecclesiastes 4:8
warm alone? [12] Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A
cord of three strands is not quickly broken. …This too is meaningless - a miserable business!
Ecclesiastes 4:1-12 Ecclesiastes 4:8
1. We need to give up the “______________ __________.” The benefits of the “Partnership Life:”
• _________________.
And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his
neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Ecclesiastes 4:9
The “________________ _____________:”
• Comes from the ____________ __________.
• _________________.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to
Envy = a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages,
help him up!
success, or possessions.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
• Leads to a ______________ ________________.
• _________________.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Ecclesiastes 4:11
• _________________.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not
quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12