GOD GIVES GLADNESS OF HEART

Passage: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Key verse: 19,20

NIV

Riches Are Meaningless

8 If you see the poor oppressed(A) in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

10 Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
    This too is meaningless.

11 As goods increase,
    so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
    except to feast their eyes on them?

12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep.(B)

13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:(C)

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
14     or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
    there is nothing left for them to inherit.
15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
    and as everyone comes, so they depart.(D)
They take nothing from their toil(E)
    that they can carry in their hands.(F)

16 This too is a grievous evil:

As everyone comes, so they depart,
    and what do they gain,
    since they toil for the wind?(G)
17 All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink(H) and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor(I) under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions,(J) and the ability to enjoy them,(K) to accept their lot(L) and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.(M) 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.(N)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor

8 (A)If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, (B)do not be amazed at the matter, (C)for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.[a]

10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

13 (D)There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 (E)As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what (F)gain is there to him who (G)toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he (H)eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

18 Behold, what I have seen to be (I)good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment[b] in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his (J)lot. 19 Everyone also to whom (K)God has given (L)wealth and possessions (M)and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is (N)the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Ecclesiastes 5:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
  2. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Or and see good
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

We ought not to be surprised by injustice. It is a consequence of sin in the world. Money and wealth never satisfy those who love them. Rather an abundance of wealth and material things makes those who have them even more worried because they are afraid to lose it all. Wealth can end up harming its owners or entirely lost. Whether rich or poor, everyone is born in the same way and wealth cannot prevent death. The Teacher states that this is all a grievous evil.

Ecclesiastes can feel like a cynical, even nihilistic, reflection about human life. The author repeatedly says that different activities under the sun are all vain, limited, and meaningless. Though Ecclesiastes presents a realistic view of life in a sinful and cursed world, we can find satisfaction when we live under God’s blessing.

Though life is brief and full of toilsome labor, the Teacher realizes that satisfaction is possible. God’s gift to us is not merely wealth and possessions, but the ability to accept our lot in life and to be happy. Instead of only focusing on life’s limitations, God occupies our hearts with gladness or joy. Through Jesus Christ, we can have true joy and peace from the forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Prayer: Father, life is hard but thank you for giving us joy in Jesus that surpasses circumstances.

One Word: Gladness is God’s gift