1
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy upon men:
2
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity, and it is a grievous affliction.
3
If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, yet his soul is not satisfied with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he.
4
For it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.
5
Moreover, it has not seen the sun nor known anything; this has more rest than the other.
6
Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet enjoy no good: do not all go to one place?
7
All the labor of man is for his mouth, yet the appetite is not satisfied.
8
For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? Or what has the poor man, who knows how to walk before the living?
9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10
Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; and he cannot contend with one who is mightier than he.
11
For the more words, the more vanity; and what is man the better?
12
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
🥀💼😶 Summary of Ecclesiastes 6 – Having Much but Not Enjoying It
Ecclesiastes 6 continues Solomon’s reflection on wealth and human life. He raises one great irony: there are those to whom wealth, honor, and long life are given — yet they are not given power to enjoy them. Solomon calls this a great misfortune and a bitter vanity.
📌 1. Possessions Without the Power to Enjoy Them = Vanity (verses 1–2)
“There is an evil I have seen… a man is given by God riches, wealth, and honor… yet he cannot enjoy them…”
- Wealth is not the problem — but the inability to enjoy it is the sorrow
- Another person may enjoy the wealth, not the one who received it
🎯 Blessing without a thankful and peaceful heart = inward torment.
📌 2. Many Children and Long Life Are No Guarantee of Meaning (verses 3–6)
“If a man has a hundred children… yet is not satisfied with good… better is a stillborn child than he.”
- Even a long life and a large family mean nothing if they are not joined with true joy
- Without peace and purpose, death is better than an empty life
🎯 A long life without meaning is a long sorrow.
📌 3. Desire Is Never Satisfied (verses 7–9)
“All the labor of man is for his mouth, yet the appetite is not satisfied.”
- We work to live, but desire is never full
- It is better to be content with what one has than to chase what cannot be reached
🎯 Contentment is not about the amount of possessions — but a heart that is enough.
📌 4. Life Is Ordered by God, Not by Human Effort (verses 10–12)
“Man cannot contend with One who is mightier than he…”
- We do not know what is best for us
- Even life is short and shadow-like — only the Lord knows the end
🎯 Life is a mystery, and it can only be lived with faith, not control.
📖 Main Teaching
- Wealth and long life are no guarantee of satisfaction
- The power to enjoy life is a gift from God
- Desire and ambition are never full — only God can satisfy
- A life without direction and without joy is worse than death
- Faith in God is more important than worldly success
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions…”
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
“I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance.”
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
🎯 Jesus gives true abundance, not only in material things — but in inner peace and direction for life.
🕊️ “But God does not give him power to enjoy them.” – Ecclesiastes 6:2
🕊️ “Better is a stillborn child than he…” – Ecclesiastes 6:3
🕊️ “All the labor of man is for his mouth, yet the appetite is not satisfied.” – Ecclesiastes 6:7
🕊️ “Man does not know what is good for him…” – Ecclesiastes 6:12
