15 Bible Verses about Futility Of Worldly Pursuits

For we have brought nothing into the world: it is manifest that neither can we carry anything out.

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This also is vanity.

For there is a man whose labour hath been with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill, and who leaveth it to a man that hath not laboured therein, to be his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah!

For when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.

Enjoin on those rich in the present age not to be high-minded, nor to trust on the uncertainty of riches; but in the God who affords us all things richly for our enjoyment; to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, disposed to communicate of their substance, laying by for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of what is really life.

For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? for what should a man give in exchange for his soul?

For what shall a man profit if he shall have gained the whole world, and have destroyed, or come under the penalty of the loss of himself?

Knowest thou not this, that of old, since man was placed upon earth, The exultation of the wicked is short, and the joy of the ungodly man but for a moment?

From men who are thy hand, O Jehovah, from men of this age: their portion is in this life, and their belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure; they have their fill of sons, and leave the rest of their substance to their children.

But Abraham said, Child, recollect that thou hast fully received thy good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted here, and thou art in suffering. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm is fixed, so that those who desire to pass hence to you cannot, nor do they who desire to cross from there pass over unto us.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher: all is vanity.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He who takes the wise in their craftiness.