Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

[18] Yea, I hated  all my labour  which I had taken  under the sun:  because I should leave  it unto the man  that shall be after  [19] And who knoweth  whether he shall be a wise  man or a fool?  yet shall he have rule  over all my labour  wherein I have laboured,  and wherein I have shewed myself wise  under the sun.  This is also vanity.  [20] Therefore I went about  my heart  to despair  of all the labour  which I took  under the sun.  [21] For there is  a man  whose labour  is in wisdom,  and in knowledge,  and in equity;  yet to a man  that hath not laboured  therein shall he leave  it for his portion.  This also is vanity  and a great  evil.  [22] For what hath  man  of all his labour,  and of the vexation  of his heart,  wherein  he hath laboured  under the sun?  [23] For all his days  are sorrows,  and his travail  grief;  yea, his heart  taketh not rest  in the night.  This is also vanity.  [24] There is nothing better  for a man,  than that he should eat  and drink,  and that he should make his soul  enjoy  good  in his labour.  This  also I saw,  that it was from the hand  of God.  [25] For who can eat,  or who else can hasten  hereunto, more  [26] For God giveth  to a man  that is good  in his sight  wisdom,  and knowledge,  and joy:  but to the sinner  he giveth  travail,  to gather  and to heap up,  that he may give  to him that is good  before  God.  This also is vanity  and vexation  of spirit. 

What does Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In Ecclesiastes 2:18-26, the emphasis is on what happens to the fruits of labor that one accumulates over a lifetime of toil. These fruits include: money and all it can buy, fame, and happiness.