He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. He who loves moneyThe phrase "loves money" is derived from the Hebrew word "אָהַב" (ahav), which means to have a deep affection or desire for something. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this love is not a mere appreciation but an all-consuming passion that can lead to idolatry. Historically, the pursuit of wealth has been a common human endeavor, yet the Bible consistently warns against making it an idol ( 1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money can lead to a never-ending cycle of desire, where the heart is never truly at peace. is never satisfied by money
The Hebrew word for "satisfied" is "שָׂבַע" (sava), which means to be filled or to have enough. The Preacher, traditionally understood to be Solomon, highlights a profound truth: material wealth can never truly fulfill the deepest longings of the human heart. Archaeological findings from ancient Near Eastern cultures reveal that wealth was often seen as a sign of divine favor, yet the wisdom literature of the Bible challenges this notion by emphasizing spiritual contentment over material abundance. and he who loves wealth
The term "wealth" here is "הוֹן" (hon) in Hebrew, referring to abundance or riches. The love of wealth is portrayed as a parallel to the love of money, suggesting that both are rooted in a desire for more than what is necessary. Scripturally, wealth is not condemned in itself, but the love of it is cautioned against. The historical context of Solomon's reign, a time of great prosperity, serves as a backdrop for this warning, as even the wealthiest king recognized the emptiness of riches without God. is never satisfied by income
"Income" is translated from the Hebrew "תְּבוּאָה" (tevuah), meaning produce or yield. This suggests that even the continual increase of wealth does not lead to satisfaction. The agricultural metaphor implies that just as crops are harvested seasonally, so too is income expected to grow, yet it still leaves the soul wanting. The biblical narrative often contrasts temporal gains with eternal treasures, urging believers to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). This too is futile
The word "futile" is "הֶבֶל" (hevel) in Hebrew, often translated as "vanity" or "meaninglessness." It conveys the idea of something transient, like a vapor or breath. Solomon's use of "hevel" throughout Ecclesiastes underscores the temporary nature of worldly pursuits. From a conservative Christian perspective, this futility points believers to the eternal satisfaction found only in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The historical and scriptural context of Ecclesiastes serves as a timeless reminder that true contentment is found not in earthly wealth, but in the riches of God's grace. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive writings. His experiences provide a backdrop for the reflections in Ecclesiastes. 2. Israel- The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of wealth and satisfaction in Ecclesiastes. 3. The Preacher (Qoheleth)- The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the pursuit of fulfillment. Teaching Points The Futility of MaterialismThe pursuit of wealth as a source of satisfaction is ultimately futile. True contentment cannot be found in material possessions. The Insatiable Nature of GreedA love for money leads to an endless cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. Recognizing this can help redirect our focus to more meaningful pursuits. Contentment in GodlinessTrue satisfaction comes from a relationship with God and living according to His principles, rather than accumulating wealth. The Danger of IdolatryPlacing wealth above God can become a form of idolatry, drawing us away from our spiritual priorities. Stewardship Over OwnershipViewing wealth as a tool for stewardship rather than ownership can shift our perspective from accumulation to generosity and service. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's personal experience with wealth and wisdom influence his perspective in Ecclesiastes 5:10? 2. In what ways can the pursuit of wealth become a form of idolatry in our lives today? 3. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the message of Ecclesiastes 5:10 regarding wealth and satisfaction? 4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate contentment and avoid the insatiable desire for more money? 5. How can we apply the principle of stewardship to our financial resources in a way that honors God and serves others? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Timothy 6:10- This verse warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, echoing the futility of seeking satisfaction in wealth. Matthew 6:24- Jesus teaches that one cannot serve both God and money, highlighting the conflict between spiritual devotion and materialism. Proverbs 23:4-5- Advises against wearing oneself out to gain wealth, as it is fleeting, reinforcing the message of Ecclesiastes 5:10. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Abundance, Gain, Income, Increase, Love, Loves, Loveth, Loving, Meaningless, Money, Profit, Purpose, Satisfied, Silver, Stores, Vanity, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 5:10 5413 money, attitudes
5591 treasure
5839 dissatisfaction
5845 emptiness
5939 satisfaction
6106 addiction
8302 love, abuse of
8701 affluence
8779 materialism, nature of
8780 materialism, and sin
8809 riches Ecclesiastes 5:8-15 5916 pessimism Ecclesiastes 5:10-14 8812 riches, ungodly use Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 5907 miserliness Library Naked or Clothed?
'As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.'--ECCLES. v. 15. '... Their works do follow them.'--REV. xiv. 13. It is to be observed that these two sharply contrasted texts do not refer to the same persons. The former is spoken of a rich worldling, the latter of 'the dead who die in the Lord.' The unrelieved gloom of the one is as a dark background against which the triumphant assurance of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLessons for Worship and for Work
'Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. 3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
1. That thou art going to the court of the Lord, and to speak with the great God by prayer; and to hear his majesty speak unto thee by his word; and to receive his blessing on thy soul, and thy honest labour, in the six days past. 2. Say with thyself by the way--"As the hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: When shall I come and appear before the presence of God? For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIVEcclesiastes 5:10 NLTEcclesiastes 5:10 ESVEcclesiastes 5:10 NASBEcclesiastes 5:10 KJV
Ecclesiastes 5:10 Commentaries
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