Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

ECCLESIASTES 5:19KJV
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Ecclesiastes 5:19 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 5:19 mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:19 says that when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and also gives them the ability to enjoy these things and find satisfaction in their work, this enjoyment is a gift from God. The verse highlights that both material blessings and the capacity to appreciate them come from God.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, reflecting on the nature of life and what truly brings meaning. In this part of Ecclesiastes, the focus is on recognizing that prosperity and the enjoyment of daily life are not guaranteed by hard work alone, but are granted by God. The verse encourages readers to see satisfaction and joy in their labor as something to be received with gratitude, not as something earned or controlled by human effort.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 5:19

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): The verse twice uses this word for God, emphasizing that both wealth and the ability to enjoy it are directly from God, not just random chance or personal achievement.
  • "Given" (נָתַן, natan): This word appears twice, underlining that both riches and the power to enjoy them are acts of giving from God, not things people simply take for themselves.
  • "Power" (שָׁלַט, shalat): This word means having authority or ability, suggesting that even the capacity to enjoy wealth is not automatic, but something God enables.
  • "Gift" (מַתָּנָה, mattanah): The word for "gift" here stresses that enjoyment of life’s blessings is not a right or a reward, but something freely given by God.

Why Ecclesiastes 5:19 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 5:19 corrects the common idea that happiness from wealth is guaranteed by having more; it points out that the ability to enjoy what one has is itself a gift from God.
  • The verse fits into the wider theme of Ecclesiastes, which often questions the value of human effort and possessions without recognizing God’s role in providing meaning and joy.
  • This verse helps clarify that gratitude and contentment are not just attitudes, but responses to what God gives, shifting the focus from striving for more to appreciating what is already provided.