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Ecclesiastes 4:7-12; Matthew 22:34-40

Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 “7 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.”

Do I TRADE relationships for ACHIEVEMENT?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked & defeated, but two can stand back-to-back & conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

SLOW DOWN to build genuine relationships

Matthew 22:34-40 34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’* 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’* 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Follow Jesus’ BLUEPRINT: love GOD, love PEOPLE

Main Idea

Building community with God & other people costs us greatly, yet the alternative is that we lose everything. Slow down and focus on loving God and loving people with Jesus’ love.