Ecclesiastes 5:19
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It's not just about having wealth, but having the "power to enjoy it" – the ability to actually savor and find joy in your work and its rewards, rather than being a slave to your possessions, is itself a precious gift from God. This capacity for contentment and celebration, independent of how much you have, is presented as a remarkable, God-given grace.
Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Teacher is concluding his thoughts on the ephemeral nature of wealth, highlighting that true enjoyment of possessions is a gift from God. This follows his observation that no amount of money can satisfy a greedy person or protect them from death, and that even the fruits of one's labor can be taken away by hardship. Therefore, the ability to genuinely find contentment and joy in the life God has provided, including wealth, is presented as a divine blessing.
Imagine having all the money in the world but feeling like its prisoner. This verse offers a powerful distinction about true wealth.
The verse highlights not just possessing wealth, but having the 'power' to enjoy it. This 'power' is described in the original languages as having 'dominion' over one's possessions. It means being the master of your estate, not a slave to it.
True Enjoyment is Freedom
Many people accumulate wealth but are unable to truly savor it. They might worry constantly about losing it, spend it all on superficial things, or feel compelled to keep accumulating more, never finding contentment. The freedom to 'eat thereof,' to 'take his portion,' and to 'rejoice in his labor' is a sign of this God-given dominion.
A Blessing, Not a Burden
When wealth brings anxiety, guilt, or compels endless toil without joy, it’s no longer a blessing but a burden. This verse reminds us that the ability to enjoy life's provisions is itself a divine gift, distinct from mere possession.
Is your work just a means to an end, or can it be a source of genuine celebration? This verse points to a divine perspective on labor.
The passage emphasizes that 'rejoicing in his labour' is a crucial part of the gift. It’s not just about the fruits of your labor (wealth and possessions), but the ability to find contentment and even joy in the process itself.
God's Hand in Your Work
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This joy is presented as a gift from God, alongside wealth and the power to enjoy it. It suggests that God intends for our work to be more than just a drudgery; it can be a place where we experience His provision and blessing.
A Cheerful Spirit as a Divine Gift
A cheerful spirit that allows one to 'rejoice in his labour' is a significant blessing. It makes tasks feel less burdensome and contributes to a more fulfilling life. This is a reminder that even our daily efforts are under God's watchful eye and can be infused with His grace.
When we receive a gift, we usually say 'thank you.' But do we truly thank the Giver for life's good things, including wealth?
The repeated phrase 'this is the gift of God' is central to understanding Ecclesiastes 5:19. It consistently pulls the reader back to the Creator as the ultimate source of all good things, including wealth, possessions, the ability to enjoy them, and even the joy found in one's labor.
A Return to Dependence
In a book that often grapples with the apparent futility of earthly pursuits, this verse acts as a grounding reminder of our absolute dependence on God's bounty. It counters the temptation to think our success is solely due to our own efforts or cleverness.
Recognizing God in Enjoyment
Enjoying the good things of life – eating, drinking, finding pleasure in work – should always be accompanied by gratitude to God. This perspective prevents us from hoarding blessings or taking them for granted, reminding us that they are meant to be received with thankfulness and used wisely, often for His glory.
Understand the original words
mattan · Hebrew Noun
A present or favor given freely; in this context, it highlights that the ability to enjoy life and labor is a sovereign, gracious endowment from God.
This passage highlights God's initial blessing for humanity to be fruitful and multiply, mirroring Ecclesiastes' theme of God granting the capacity to enjoy life's provisions.
Deuteronomy 8:18It directly states that God gives us the ability to gain wealth, reinforcing Ecclesiastes' assertion that both possessions and the power to enjoy them are gifts from God.
1 Timothy 6:17This verse offers a caution against trusting in riches, but it also acknowledges that God provides them, aligning with Ecclesiastes' view of wealth as a gift to be received with gratitude rather than as an ultimate end.
Matthew 6:33Jesus instructs us to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, implying that earthly provisions and the ability to enjoy them will follow, which is a perspective that complements the idea of these blessings being gifts from God.
1 Corinthians 10:31This verse calls believers to do everything for God's glory, suggesting that the enjoyment of life's gifts, including wealth and the ability to use it, should be directed towards honoring Him.
pooleEcclesiastes 5:19: "Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God."
Hath given him power, Heb. hath given him the dominion ; who is the lord and master of his estate, not a slave to it. Of this and the former verse, See Poole "Ecclesiastes 2:24" ; See Poole "Ecclesiastes 3:12" , See Poole "Ecclesiastes 3:13" . To take his portion to his own use , to use what God hat…
henryEcclesiastes 5:18-20: "Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion."
5:18-20 Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. Having made a proper use of riches, a ma…
It's not just about having wealth, but having the "power to enjoy it" – the ability to actually savor and find joy in your work and its rewards, rather than being a slave to your possessions, is itself a precious gift from God. This capacity for contentment and celebration, independent of how much you have, is presented as a remarkable, God-given grace.
The Teacher is concluding his thoughts on the ephemeral nature of wealth, highlighting that true enjoyment of possessions is a gift from God. This follows his observation that no amount of money can satisfy a greedy person or protect them from death, and that even the fruits of one's labor can be taken away by hardship. Therefore, the ability to genuinely find contentment and joy in the life God has provided, including wealth, is presented as a divine blessing.
The Teacher is concluding his thoughts on the ephemeral nature of wealth, highlighting that true enjoyment of possessions is a gift from God. This follows his observation that no amount of money can satisfy a greedy person or protect them from death, and that even the fruits of one's labor can be taken away by hardship. Therefore, the ability to genuinely find contentment and joy in the life God has provided, including wealth, is presented as a divine blessing.
"Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God." — It's not just about having wealth, but having the "power to enjoy it" – the ability to actually savor and find joy in your work and its rewards, rather than being a slave to your possessions, is itse…
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Last reviewed October 2026
