Ecclesiastes 1:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Ecclesiastes 1:3

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Profit

Under

Ecclesiastes 9:3

General references

Ecclesiastes 3:9

Bible References

Profit

What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?

What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?

This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

Do not wear yourself out to become rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.

Why pay money for something that will not nourish you? Why spend your hard-earned money on something that will not satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is nourishing! Enjoy fine food!

Be sure of this! The Lord who commands armies has decreed: The nations' efforts will go up in smoke; their exhausting work will be for nothing.

For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life?

Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life -- the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him."

Under

Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless -- like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth."

But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.

This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives -- then they die.

General references

What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?