1. Ecclesiastes 5:19 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:19 (Summary)

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (ESV)

19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil this is the gift of God.

Anyone who has received wealth from God, in whatever measure, may see it as a gift from God. It is a beautiful gift from him. We read that clearly in this verse. Throughout history you always have people who said that Christians should not be enjoying the ordinary things in life. That would be too earthly for spiritual people.

Paul also had to deal with this assumption. He calls it an error, even a devilish doctrine! See 1 Timothy 4:1–3. He describes the content of this error as follows: They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth (1 Timothy 4:3). The life of a Christian must be very different: For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the Word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4–5).

We can and may enjoy the prosperity that the Lord gives, like a gift that we unwrap. But we are not to handle it selfishly. In our spending we always need to put our love for Christ and his Kingdom first.