Ecclesiastes 6:2
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It's easy to see this verse as just about unfulfilled desire, but notice the contrast: God gives a person wealth, possessions, and honor, yet simultaneously withholds the ability to enjoy it. This isn't about simply not getting what you want, but about receiving abundant good things and yet being unable to truly experience or benefit from them, which is depicted as a grievous evil and utter futility.
a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, 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; it is a grievous evil.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Teacher is exploring the frustrating paradox of earthly success that doesn't bring fulfillment. He's just described the futility of endless toil, and now he paints a picture of someone blessed with immense wealth, possessions, and honor, yet completely unable to enjoy any of it, only for it all to be inherited by someone else. This scenario highlights a deep injustice and a profound lack of control, leading him to label it as vanity and a grievous evil.
Ever felt like you have everything, but can't quite enjoy it? This verse dives into a difficult truth about God's role in our blessings.
The passage presents a scenario where God gives a person immense wealth, possessions, and honor – seemingly everything anyone could desire. Yet, the crucial element missing is the 'power to enjoy them.' This isn't just about a lack of appetite or external circumstances preventing enjoyment; the text points to God Himself withholding this capacity. This highlights a profound aspect of God's sovereignty: He is not only the source of blessings but also the one who grants or denies the ability to truly savor them. This can be a challenging concept, but it underscores that our enjoyment of life's gifts is ultimately dependent on His gracious provision.
Imagine accumulating a fortune, only to have it slip through your fingers or be enjoyed by someone else. This verse calls that 'vanity' and an 'evil disease.'
The verse paints a picture of profound irony. A person is given everything – wealth, possessions, honor – to the point of lacking nothing they desire. Yet, they cannot enjoy it. To add to the sorrow, this inability to enjoy means the wealth ultimately benefits a 'stranger.' This stranger represents someone outside the possessor's family or legacy, highlighting the ultimate futility and emptiness of accumulating without savoring. The text labels this situation not just 'vanity' (emptiness, futility) but also a 'grievous evil' or 'evil disease.' This suggests it's a deep sickness of the soul, a fundamental brokenness where life's intended purpose—to enjoy God's good gifts—is thwarted.
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Understand the original words
hebel · Hebrew Noun
A state of emptiness, vapor, or absurdity; in Ecclesiastes, it describes things that are fleeting, incomprehensible, or lacking lasting substance or meaning from a human perspective.
This parable highlights a similar theme of possessing great wealth but lacking the true ability to enjoy it, ultimately being unable to take it with them and leaving it for someone else.
1 Timothy 6:10This passage speaks to the root issue that can plague those with wealth but no enjoyment: the love of money, which can prevent a person from enjoying God's good gifts.
Deuteronomy 28:30This is a prophetic consequence of disobedience, where wealth is gained but not enjoyed, and possessions are taken by strangers, mirroring the 'grievous evil' described in Ecclesiastes.
Psalm 49:16-17This Psalm directly addresses the vanity of accumulating riches when one cannot take them with them in death, emphasizing that their enjoyment in life is not guaranteed by possession alone.
Matthew 6:19-21Jesus contrasts storing up treasures on earth, which can be lost and enjoyed by others, with storing up treasures in heaven, pointing to a more secure and lasting enjoyment.
pooleEcclesiastes 6:2: "A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease."
Wealth; all sorts of riches, as gold and silver, cattle and lands, &c. Of all that he desireth; which he doth or can reasonably desire. Giveth him not power to eat; either because they are suddenly taken away from him by the hand and curse of…
wesleyEcclesiastes 6:2: "A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease."
6:2 Riches - All sorts of riches. To eat - Because God gives him up to a base and covetous mind.
It's easy to see this verse as just about unfulfilled desire, but notice the contrast: God gives a person wealth, possessions, and honor, yet simultaneously withholds the ability to enjoy it. This isn't about simply not getting what you want, but about receiving abundant good things and yet being unable to truly experience or benefit from them, which is depicted as a grievous evil and utter futility.
The Teacher is exploring the frustrating paradox of earthly success that doesn't bring fulfillment. He's just described the futility of endless toil, and now he paints a picture of someone blessed with immense wealth, possessions, and honor, yet completely unable to enjoy any of it, only for it all to be inherited by someone else. This scenario highlights a deep injustice and a profound lack of control, leading him to label it as vanity and a grievous evil.
The Teacher is exploring the frustrating paradox of earthly success that doesn't bring fulfillment. He's just described the futility of endless toil, and now he paints a picture of someone blessed with immense wealth, possessions, and honor, yet completely unable to enjoy any of it, only for it all to be inherited by someone else. This scenario highlights a deep injustice and a profound lack of control, leading him to label it as vanity and a grievous evil.
"a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, 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; it is a grievous evil." — It's easy to see this verse as just about unfulfilled desire, but notice the contrast: God gives a person wealth, possessions, and honor, yet simultaneously withholds the ability to enjoy it. Thi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
