15 Bible Verses about Futility Of Worldly Pursuits

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.

What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.

He said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

“Do you know this from of old,
From the establishment of man on earth,
That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the godless momentary?

From men with Your hand, O Lord,
From men of the world, whose portion is in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your treasure;
They are satisfied with children,
And leave their abundance to their babes.

But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”;