Topical Bible: Vanity: Worldly Enjoyment Is

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In the context of the Bible, "vanity" often refers to the fleeting and insubstantial nature of worldly pursuits and pleasures. The term is prominently featured in the book of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher, traditionally understood to be King Solomon, reflects on the meaninglessness of life when lived solely for earthly enjoyment and material gain.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 famously declares, "Futility of futilities, says the Teacher, futility of futilities! Everything is futile!" This opening sets the tone for the book, emphasizing the transient and ultimately unsatisfying nature of worldly endeavors. The Hebrew word translated as "futility" or "vanity" is "hevel," which conveys a sense of vapor or breath—something that is there for a moment and then vanishes.

The Preacher explores various avenues of worldly enjoyment, including wisdom, pleasure, work, and wealth, only to find them lacking in true fulfillment. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 details his pursuit of pleasure: "I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.' But it proved to be futile." Despite indulging in laughter, wine, great works, and possessions, he concludes that all is vanity and a striving after wind.

The theme of vanity is not limited to Ecclesiastes. Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent warning against placing ultimate value on temporal pleasures. In the New Testament, 1 John 2:15-17 admonishes believers: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever."

The Bible presents a worldview that contrasts the temporary nature of worldly enjoyment with the eternal significance of spiritual pursuits. In Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus instructs, "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, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The pursuit of vanity, as depicted in Scripture, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing earthly pleasures over spiritual growth and obedience to God. The biblical narrative encourages believers to seek fulfillment in their relationship with God, who offers eternal life and true satisfaction beyond the fleeting pleasures of this world.

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Ecclesiastes 2:3,10,11
I sought in my heart to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
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Library

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... the sense in which Solomon (placing himself in the state of vanity of his ... other,
they combine to stem the tide of impediments to worldly enjoyment, which might ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
... riches are compared to wind (Hosea 12:1) to show their vanity, so to ... make us cursed,
cannot make us blessed; but the sole enjoyment of worldly things will ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/2 there is a blessedness.htm

That to Him who Loveth God is Sweet Above all Things and in all ...
... follow after Thee through contempt of worldly things, and ... wise because they are carried
from vanity to verity ... Unlike, yea, very unlike is the enjoyment of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxxiv that to him.htm

Introductory Notice to Cyprian.
... were nerved up to a wonderful contempt of suffering and of worldly enjoyment, and
saw ... ad246); his treatise, or fragment of a treatise, on the Vanity of Idols ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/introductory notice to cyprian.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... to mind, and so much taken up with worldly Business, that ... get what they can, it is
but Vanity and vexation ... we shall solace our selves in the Enjoyment of his ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... who are not actually in the enjoyment to rejoice ... and have become superior to all
worldly show, instructed ... sacred Scriptures, that "all is vanity, yea, vanity ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

The Necessity of Divine Influences.
... measure of real being, then all that is outside of eternity is unreal and a vanity. ...
Worldly men do not interfere with their own present actual enjoyment. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the necessity of divine influences.htm

The victory of Faith.
... land this day, will declaim against the vanity of riches ... of a future and higher physical
enjoyment to a ... The worldly mother who plans for the advancement of a ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ii the victory of faith.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... will be able to correct that indolence and vanity of mind ... thus with the Levites;
they had no worldly concerns, because ... He had no enjoyment from all these things ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

The Life of Mr. James Renwick.
... as it is usually accompanied with various temptations to youthful vanity, so it ... by
a poor persecuted people, who had lost all that worldly enjoyment they had ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 6.htm