Ecclesiastes 6:2

A man may have riches, wealth, and honor yet lack the God-given power to enjoy them, and a stranger consumes them instead; this is a grievous evil. It matters because possessing much without the ability to enjoy it is a tragic emptiness.

Cross-references · 21

• Eccl 5:19Furthermore, 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.
• Ps 73:7From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
• Ps 17:14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
• 1 Kgs 3:13Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.
• Lam 5:2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.
• Job 21:9–15Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
• Luke 12:19–20Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
• Dan 5:18As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
• Ps 39:6Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
• Deut 8:7–10For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills;
• 1 Chr 29:28He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.
• Hos 7:9Foreigners consume his strength, but he does not notice. Even his hair is streaked with gray, but he does not know.
• 2 Chr 1:11God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or glory for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king—
• Eccl 4:8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
• Eccl 4:4I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
• Eccl 2:4–10I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
• Deut 28:33A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and of all your toil. All your days you will be oppressed and crushed.
• Deut 28:43The foreigner living among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink down lower and lower.
• 1 Chr 29:25The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.
• Judg 18:10When you enter, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has delivered it into your hand. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.”
• Eccl 5:16This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?

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