◄ Ecclesiastes 5:19 ►
Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
Study Bible
Furthermore
This word serves as a continuation or addition to the previous thoughts, indicating that what follows is a further elaboration on the theme of divine providence. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it suggests a deepening understanding of God's role in human affairs, emphasizing that the subsequent blessings are not isolated but part of a broader divine plan.

God has given
The phrase underscores the sovereignty and generosity of God. The Hebrew root for "given" (נָתַן, natan) implies a deliberate and purposeful act of bestowal. This highlights the belief that all good things come from God, reinforcing the idea that human efforts alone are insufficient without divine blessing.

riches and wealth
These terms, while often used interchangeably, can have distinct meanings. "Riches" (עֹשֶׁר, osher) often refers to material abundance, while "wealth" (נְכָסִים, nekhasim) can imply a broader sense of prosperity, including social and spiritual well-being. Historically, in the ancient Near East, wealth was seen as a sign of divine favor, yet Ecclesiastes tempers this view by reminding readers of the transient nature of material possessions.

to every man
This phrase suggests universality, indicating that God's blessings are not limited to a select few but are available to all. It reflects the egalitarian aspect of divine grace, where every individual has the potential to receive and enjoy God's gifts, regardless of their status or background.

He has enabled him to enjoy them
The ability to enjoy wealth is portrayed as a separate gift from the wealth itself. The Hebrew verb for "enabled" (שָׁלַט, shalat) implies empowerment or granting authority. This suggests that true enjoyment of material blessings is not automatic but requires divine intervention, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and contentment.

to accept his lot
This phrase speaks to the acceptance of one's circumstances as part of God's sovereign plan. The word "lot" (חֵלֶק, chelek) can refer to one's portion or share in life. It encourages believers to find peace and satisfaction in their God-given situation, trusting that it is part of a divine purpose.

and rejoice in his labor
Rejoicing in one's work is presented as a virtue and a source of fulfillment. The Hebrew root for "rejoice" (שָׂמַח, samach) conveys a sense of joy and gladness. This perspective elevates work from mere toil to a meaningful activity that contributes to one's sense of purpose and satisfaction in life.

This is a gift from God
The concluding statement reaffirms the central theme that all aspects of life, including wealth, enjoyment, and contentment, are gifts from God. It serves as a reminder to acknowledge and appreciate God's generosity, fostering a spirit of gratitude and humility. This perspective aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes reliance on God's provision and the transient nature of earthly possessions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The ultimate giver of all good things, including wealth and the ability to enjoy it.

2. Every Man
Represents humanity, specifically those who receive wealth and the ability to enjoy it as a gift from God.

3. Riches and Wealth
Material blessings that are bestowed by God.

4. Labor
The work or effort that a person engages in, which is also a source of joy when seen as a gift from God.

5. Gift from God
The concept that both material wealth and the enjoyment of it are divine blessings.
Teaching Points
Recognizing God's Sovereignty
Understand that all material blessings come from God, and He is sovereign over who receives them.

Contentment in God's Provision
Learn to accept your lot in life and find joy in your labor, recognizing it as a gift from God.

Enjoyment as a Divine Gift
Realize that the ability to enjoy wealth and work is not a given but a special grace from God.

Stewardship of Wealth
Use your resources wisely, acknowledging that they are entrusted to you by God for His purposes.

Gratitude and Worship
Cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's gifts, leading to worship and a deeper relationship with Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does recognizing wealth and enjoyment as gifts from God change your perspective on material possessions?

2. In what ways can you cultivate contentment in your current circumstances, as encouraged by Ecclesiastes 5:19?

3. How can you apply the principle of stewardship to the resources God has given you?

4. What are some practical ways to express gratitude to God for His gifts in your daily life?

5. How do the teachings in Ecclesiastes 5:19 relate to Paul's message about contentment in Philippians 4:11-13?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 1:17
This verse emphasizes that every good and perfect gift is from above, reinforcing the idea that wealth and the ability to enjoy it are gifts from God.

1 Timothy 6:17
Paul advises the wealthy not to be arrogant or to put their hope in wealth, but to trust in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Proverbs 10:22
This proverb highlights that the blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it, aligning with the idea that wealth is a divine gift.

Philippians 4:11-13
Paul speaks about contentment in all circumstances, which relates to accepting one's lot and rejoicing in labor as a gift from God.
Sermons
The Drawbacks Upon WealthJ. Willcock Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
The Good Things Appointed for Man by GodD. Thomas Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Accept, Eat, Empowered, Enables, Enjoy, Enjoyment, Furthermore, Gift, Gives, Happy, Joy, Labor, Labor-this, Labour, Lot, Money, Pleasure, Portion, Possessions, Power, Receive, Rejoice, Reward, Riches, Thereof, Toil, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ecclesiastes 5:19

     5289   debt
     5325   gifts
     5476   property
     5629   work, ordained by God
     5830   delight
     5874   happiness
     8780   materialism, and sin
     8809   riches

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

     5846   enjoyment

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

     8287   joy, experience
     8811   riches, attitudes to

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 Scripture

Lessons 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

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