Ecclesiastes 5:15

Ecclesiastes 5:15 is a profound statement on the brevity of life and the ultimate futility of accumulating material wealth. It serves as a stark reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly possessions.

Context

This verse is situated within a larger section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 5 and 6) where the Preacher, or Qoheleth, critiques the pursuit of riches and the insatiability that often accompanies wealth. He observes that increasing wealth often brings more anxieties and responsibilities, rather than true satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12). The preceding verses highlight various misfortunes that can befall the wealthy, such as losing their riches through bad investments or leaving them to heirs who don't appreciate them. Verse 15 brings this observation to its ultimate conclusion: regardless of one's accumulation, death levels all.

Key Themes

• The Impermanence of Earthly Possessions: The central message is that all material gains are temporary. Just as one enters the world without possessions, so too will one leave it, unable to carry anything away.
• Human Vulnerability and Mortality: The imagery of being "naked" at birth and death underscores the inherent frailty and vulnerability of human existence. We are born into the world with nothing and depart in the same state.
• The Vanity of Materialism: The verse powerfully challenges the notion that true value or security can be found in wealth. It exposes the ultimate emptiness of a life solely devoted to accumulating riches, echoing the broader theme of "vanity" (hebel) found throughout Ecclesiastes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "naked" (עָרֹום, arom) vividly portrays a state of utter destitution and vulnerability, reinforcing the idea of arriving and departing without any earthly trappings. The term "labour" (עָמָל, amal) often implies burdensome toil, hardship, or grievous effort. This choice of word emphasizes that even the possessions acquired through intense, difficult work cannot be retained, making the effort seem all the more futile from an earthly perspective.

Related Scriptures

This truth is echoed in other parts of Scripture:

• Job 1:21 declares, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." This shows a similar understanding of human mortality and the transient nature of possessions.
• The Apostle Paul reinforces this in 1 Timothy 6:7: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." This New Testament affirmation validates the timeless wisdom found in Ecclesiastes.
• The Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16-21 illustrates the tragic error of those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God, highlighting the ultimate foolishness of earthly accumulation without eternal perspective.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 5:15 serves as a powerful call to re-evaluate our priorities. It encourages us to:

• Cultivate Humility: Recognize our transient nature and dependence on God rather than self-sufficiency or material possessions.
• Seek Eternal Value: Shift focus from accumulating perishable earthly treasures to investing in things with lasting significance, as encouraged by Jesus' teaching to lay up treasures in heaven.
• Practice Contentment: Find satisfaction not in what we possess, but in our relationship with God and the blessings He provides, understanding that true riches are not found in the material world.
• Steward Resources Wisely: Use wealth and resources for good, for God's purposes, and to bless others, rather than hoarding them for a future that may never come or for an inheritance that cannot be taken beyond the grave.

This verse is a sobering yet liberating truth, reminding us that life's true meaning transcends material gain and points to a deeper, more enduring reality.