How does this verse connect with Jesus' teachings on storing treasures in heaven? “For a man may labor with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and yet he must leave his wealth to someone who has not toiled for it. This too is futile and a great evil.” Futility of Earthly Toil • Solomon observes that even the wisest, most diligent worker cannot keep his earnings. • The inevitable hand-off of possessions exposes the limited reach of earthly achievements. • Because Scripture is accurate and literal, this verdict on material effort stands unchanged for every generation. Jesus on Lasting Treasure (Matthew 6:19-21) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” • Earthly treasures perish; heavenly treasures endure. • Jesus directs attention from temporary gains to eternal rewards, echoing Solomon’s warning about the emptiness of possessions that slip from our grasp. Parallel Passages • Luke 12:33 – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor… an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.” • 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Command the rich to be “rich in good works… storing up for themselves a firm foundation for the future.” • 1 Peter 1:3-4 – An inheritance “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven.” Connecting Ecclesiastes to the Gospels • Same Problem, Different Voices – Solomon: Wealth is left behind; therefore, it is “futile.” – Jesus: Earthly wealth decays or is stolen; therefore, pursue heavenly treasure. • Same Solution, Different Wording – Solomon implicitly pushes the reader to look beyond the sun for meaning. – Jesus explicitly reveals heaven as the secure repository for lasting riches. • Unified Testimony – Both passages expose the fragile nature of material accumulation and call for investments that survive death. Practical Application • Redirect effort: channel skill, knowledge, and resources toward kingdom purposes—generosity, evangelism, discipleship. • Guard the heart: use possessions without letting them possess you (Proverbs 23:4-5). • Pursue deeds that follow you into eternity (Revelation 14:13). Summary Ecclesiastes 2:21 confronts the brevity of ownership; Jesus completes the thought by offering the alternative of heavenly treasure. Believers who take both passages literally will labor hard, but not to hoard—rather, to convert fleeting wealth into everlasting reward. |
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