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b'Ecclesiastes: SatisfiedAre We Mere Beasts?May 5, 2013Please turn in your Bibles to Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:6: \\u201cBetter one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil.Ecclesiastes 4:63 Observations: Observation #1 (3:16-22): Men have a tendency to behave like beasts. \\u201cWhen the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.\\u201dEcclesiastes 8:11App: God has us in His scales to show us how desperately we need a Savior: We are less like God and more like beasts. Let\\u2019s make it our purpose to love God and love others.App: All Eyes on Jesus: Hold on to your future hope of glory. (ref. John 11:25 and 14:2b-3)Observation #2 (4:1-3): When men are like beasts oppression becomes a real problem.App: God has us in His scales to show us how desperately we need a Savior: We are less like God and more like beasts. Let\\u2019s make it our purpose to love God and love others.Observation #3 (4:4): Envy: What feeds our beastly nature.Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,but who can stand before jealousy? Proverbs 27:4App: God has us in His scales to show us how desperately we need a Savior: We are less like God and more like beasts. Let\\u2019s make it our purpose to love God and love others.App: To repent of all envy 3 Possible Responses (4:5-6):Option 1: Laziness: fold your hands and do nothing (4:5)(ref. Proverbs 6:10-11)Option 2: Workaholism: endless striving (4:6b)Option 3: Balance: \\u201c\\u2026a handful with tranquility\\u201d (4:6a) (ref.Proverbs 17:1) App: Practice being content with a handful and learn to enjoy your work with peace of mind. Jesus warned. (ref. Luke 12:15, 21 and 1Timothy 6:6-10)What is God\\u2019s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?'