The Loneliness of Wealth
Open Your Bible
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16, Proverbs 27:17, Luke 12:13-21, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 12:18-21
BY Ellen L. Taylor
In January of my sophomore year of college, I laced up my hiking boots and packed a backpack (and two huge suitcases) and set off for a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile. My then-boyfriend, whom I had begun dating just a mere three months prior to leaving, wrote me a letter to read while I was gone. There is one passage from the letter that I still think of occasionally. In it was Ecclesiastes 4:12: “A cord of three strands is not easily broken,” and below it, the words “and what a strong cord we will have: you, me, and the Lord of all creation.” And although that relationship didn’t survive the strain of a semester away from each other (long distance is hard when you’re nineteen!), I’ve applied that sentiment to many of my relationships over the years: friendships, romantic relationships, and familial relationships alike.
When I was young, I didn’t know how to braid my hair. I would end up just separating my hair into two sections and twisting them around each other, until one year at church camp when a friend taught me how to correctly braid my hair. The secret? Separating it into three sections, like the author of Ecclesiastes says in chapter 4, the cord of three strands is not easily broken. I’ve found this to be true over and over again throughout my life. My relationships with other people are so much stronger when the relationship is built on a mutual desire to serve and love God first, then each other.
Surrounding yourself with people who love the Lord is so important, especially during formational seasons of life. Lack of community makes it increasingly hard to find purpose. I have found that a life in pursuit of God is so much more meaningful when it is done in community. When surrounded by other believers, seasons of fruitfulness become even more sweet, and seasons of doubt are met with comfort and understanding. The cord of three strands provides a safe place to learn, to question, and to grow. It is important that we not only seek out this kind of community for ourselves, but commit to being this kind of community for those around us. The kingdom of God is a place where all who believe are welcome. May we seek to live this out in our own lives each and every day.
47 thoughts on "The Loneliness of Wealth"
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God never expected us to live life alone. It’s important that we build a community of people who will help push us when life gets tough.
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I remember when I was younger I longed for a friend that would help me a long this path. It wasnt until I started seeking God exclusively that he brought the right women around me that I call sisters. Now my prayer is that I continue to be a friend they need in whatever season they are facing. ♡
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❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Wow, this was very convicting! I’ve been self-isolating due to pain and fear even pre-Covid-19, and I am becoming increasingly aware of how damaging it is. I always thought my relationship to God was my own. But I know better- Christian fellowship is so important. And our relationship with God can’t really be brought to fruition without it.
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❤️
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Praying for you, Makenzie!
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Just learned of this app , excited to have a way to keep on track with my intentions for study!
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A verse that stuck out to me was “and I saw that all toil and achievement spring from one person’s envy of another” Ecclesiastes 4:4…. I think I’m guilty of this to an extent every day. I struggle with comparison to others and I shouldn’t make other’s success a motivation for mine. True community and fellowship among believers is celebrating each other’s successes with a sincere heart and encouraging one another. It’s hard to find community at this time! God has placed it on my heart to find a small group that I can be a part of and it’s just very hard with my night shift schedule and now this pandemic to do that. I’m hoping once this finally settles down I can be obedient to the Lord’s calling to surround myself with godly women.
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What a timely reading and devotion. I am by nature a “people“ person. I love people! But… I also cherish and enjoy my “alone“ time. Especially my “quiet“ time.
During this time of social distancing I have been able to “make“ time to text, call, and sometimes walk with a friend. Contact those I have not had time to because of work. We need community. And even though I am not much of a techie person, I am thankful for Zoom and the Internet enabling me to stay connected with my sisters in Christ!  and at my age, LOL, I really am enjoying ZOOM. It’s the nearest thing! And my mom even older, enjoyed it when we had a family Zoom celebration of my brother and his wife’s 25th wedding anniversary. Needless to say I am thankful for today’s technology so that we can all stay connected to the Church!
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