Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
The Gift of Enjoyment
8If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
9The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
10He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.
11When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?
12The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.
13There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
14or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.
15As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.
16This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?
17Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
18Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
19Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
20For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.
Berean Standard Bible
The Teacher sees oppression of the poor and denial of justice in a province. He tells readers not to be astonished that one official watches another and higher officials watch them. The bureaucracy has layers, but layers do not guarantee righteousness. The king himself profits from the fields.
Then he addresses money. The person who loves money is never satisfied by money, and the person who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. As good things increase, so do the people who consume them. The owner can only look at what he has.
The worker sleeps sweetly whether he eats little or much. The rich person's abundance allows no sleep. Wealth can become a burden when possession turns into constant guarding, planning, and fear.
The Teacher calls wealth hoarded to an owner's harm a grievous evil. Wealth can be lost in a failed venture, leaving nothing to pass to a child. Everyone leaves life as naked as they entered it and carries nothing away from labor.
Yet the passage also says it is good and fitting to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in work during the short days God gives. God gives riches and enables a person to enjoy them, accept a portion, and rejoice. The gift is not control over the future. It is the ability to receive today without being consumed by tomorrow.
Deuteronomy commands generosity toward the poor. Paul tells Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain and warns about the love of money. Ecclesiastes exposes both economic injustice and the restless heart that never says enough.
Enjoyment and generosity belong together. A gift received from God should not become a wall between us and the people God calls us to notice.
How We Know
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 commands Israel to open its hand to the poor. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 commends contentment, warns against the love of money, and teaches that godliness is great gain. Ecclesiastes contrasts oppression, restless wealth, and grateful enjoyment.
Questions
1 What did the Teacher see in the province?
AnswerHe saw oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness.
2 Who is never satisfied by money?
AnswerThe person who loves money is never satisfied by money.
3 What happens to the worker's sleep?
AnswerThe worker's sleep is sweet, whether he eats little or much.
4 What can God enable a person to do with wealth?
AnswerGod can enable a person to enjoy it, accept his portion, and rejoice in his labor.
What This Means for Us
Examine whether money is serving people or ruling them. Practice generosity, receive ordinary gifts with gratitude, and refuse to measure life by accumulation.
Prayer
God, defend the poor and correct our love of money. Give us contentment, open hands, and the wisdom to enjoy what You provide without forgetting those in need. Amen.