Ecclesiastes 6:2

New Living Translation

God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! This is meaningless—a sickening tragedy.

Cross References

1 Kings 3:13

And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!

1 Chronicles 29:25

And the Lord exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and he gave Solomon greater royal splendor than any king in Israel before him.

1 Chronicles 29:28

He died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. Then his son Solomon ruled in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:11

God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people—

Psalm 17:14

By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.

Psalm 39:6

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

Psalm 73:7

These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Ecclesiastes 5:13

There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.

Ecclesiastes 5:16

And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.

Ecclesiastes 5:19

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.

Isaiah 55:2

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.

Lamentations 5:2

Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners.

Daniel 5:18

Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar.

Hosea 7:9

Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it. Their hair is gray, but they don’t realize they’re old and weak.

Deuteronomy 28:33

A foreign nation you have never heard about will eat the crops you worked so hard to grow. You will suffer under constant oppression and harsh treatment.

Deuteronomy 28:43

“The foreigners living among you will become stronger and stronger, while you become weaker and weaker.

Judges 18:10

When you get there, you will find the people living carefree lives. God has given us a spacious and fertile land, lacking in nothing!”