Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• Everyone wants riches; but few consider the harm riches can bring. Ultimately, being content with God gives us remains the best goal we can pursue (as also demonstrated in previous chapters).

Details and/or Comments

• Verses 1-7 focus on our attitude toward God. This will influence our attitude toward the other things in this chapter. For instance, it will influence how we enjoy the gifts he has given us (v. 18+).

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Ecc 5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don't marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them. Ecc 5:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.	This illustration is based on what might happen with an unjust government; but the principle could apply in other situations as well. (v.8) Don't be surprised when you see oppression. Injustice happens everywhere, all the way up the “chain of command.” Oppression (v.9) A reminder that sometimes there are positive benefits, when those in power profit from the land. (The wording in this verse doesn't seem to have the negative connotations of the previous verse.) Taxes might be a modern-day example of this last verse. We don't necessarily agree with all that our tax money is used for; but we probably benefit from at least some of the things it is used for!
Ecc 5:10 He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. Ecc 5:11 When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes? Ecc 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep. Ecc 5:13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. Ecc 5:14 Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. Ecc 5:15 As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.	Everyone wants to get wealth (even if attained through unjust means); but few ever consider the ways it can hurt a person. The next few verses show us that there is a "negative" side to wealth. (v,10) It does not bring lasting satisfaction. (In fact, it can result in the opposite of the contentment that God offers us.) (v.11) The more a person has, the more it gets consumed by others! (There are costs of maintaining it, replacing it, storing it, protecting it, insuring it...) (v.12) It comes with increased stress and anxiety. (v.13) It may result in harm (whether self-induced or caused by others). (v.14) It may be quickly lost. (v.15) In the end, when you die, you will loose all of it. Wealth
Ecc 5:16 This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind? Ecc 5:17 All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.	Conclusion #1 - After all the pain and grief we experience in our attempts to gain wealth, in the end, we will lose all of it! Futility in Life
Ecc 5:18 Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. Ecc 5:19 Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God. Ecc 5:20 For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.	Conclusion #2 - It is much better to be content with what we have, than to destroy ourselves pursuing what we cannot keep! Whatever we may have (little or much), consider it a gift from God! This will influence not only our attitude toward our wealth, but also the way we use it. (We won't misuse it or become preoccupied with using it for ourselves.) Contentment The "Highest Good" We Can Pursue in Life Rejoicing in Life Living a Productive Life

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.