Ecclesiastes 5:11 - When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
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What does "Ecclesiastes 5:11" mean?
Ecclesiastes 5:11 is a cynical observation about the nature of wealth. Let's break it down:
"When goods increase, those who eat them are increased..." This means that as someone's wealth grows, so does the number of people who benefit from it. This includes:
Servants and employees who need to be paid.
Tax collectors and government entities.
Family members and hangers-on who expect support.
People who ask for charity or loans.
Potentially, thieves or those who try to take advantage.
In essence, the verse is saying that wealth doesn't just sit in a vault. It creates a network of people who depend on it in some way.
"...and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?" This is the core of the verse's cynicism. It suggests that the owner of the wealth may not actually enjoy it more than someone with less. They may:
Be burdened by the responsibility of managing it.
Worry about losing it.
Find that it doesn't bring them lasting happiness or fulfillment.
Only have the "advantage" of simply looking at their possessions or bank statements. "Feasting on them with his eyes" is a metaphor for taking a purely superficial and ultimately unsatisfying pleasure in merely possessing wealth.
In summary, the verse points out the following:
Wealth comes with increased burdens and responsibilities. More possessions mean more people who want a share, either legitimately or illegitimately.
Wealth doesn't necessarily equate to increased happiness or satisfaction. The owner may be so preoccupied with managing and protecting their wealth that they don't truly enjoy it.
The ultimate benefit of wealth may be merely visual, a superficial enjoyment of simply possessing it rather than experiencing genuine joy from it.
The verse reflects the overall theme of Ecclesiastes, which is the search for meaning and purpose in life. The author (traditionally believed to be King Solomon) examines various aspects of human existence, including wealth, wisdom, and pleasure, and often finds them to be ultimately "vanity" or meaningless. This verse suggests that the pursuit of wealth is not a guaranteed path to happiness and that the true benefits of riches may be less substantial than one might expect.
Ecclesiastes 5:11 - When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
What does "Ecclesiastes 5:11" mean?
Ecclesiastes 5:11 is a cynical observation about the nature of wealth. Let's break it down:
"When goods increase, those who eat them are increased..." This means that as someone's wealth grows, so does the number of people who benefit from it. This includes:
Servants and employees who need to be paid.
Tax collectors and government entities.
Family members and hangers-on who expect support.
People who ask for charity or loans.
Potentially, thieves or those who try to take advantage.
In essence, the verse is saying that wealth doesn't just sit in a vault. It creates a network of people who depend on it in some way.
"...and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?" This is the core of the verse's cynicism. It suggests that the owner of the wealth may not actually enjoy it more than someone with less. They may:
Be burdened by the responsibility of managing it.
Worry about losing it.
Find that it doesn't bring them lasting happiness or fulfillment.
Only have the "advantage" of simply looking at their possessions or bank statements. "Feasting on them with his eyes" is a metaphor for taking a purely superficial and ultimately unsatisfying pleasure in merely possessing wealth.
In summary, the verse points out the following:
Wealth comes with increased burdens and responsibilities. More possessions mean more people who want a share, either legitimately or illegitimately.
Wealth doesn't necessarily equate to increased happiness or satisfaction. The owner may be so preoccupied with managing and protecting their wealth that they don't truly enjoy it.
The ultimate benefit of wealth may be merely visual, a superficial enjoyment of simply possessing it rather than experiencing genuine joy from it.
The verse reflects the overall theme of Ecclesiastes, which is the search for meaning and purpose in life. The author (traditionally believed to be King Solomon) examines various aspects of human existence, including wealth, wisdom, and pleasure, and often finds them to be ultimately "vanity" or meaningless. This verse suggests that the pursuit of wealth is not a guaranteed path to happiness and that the true benefits of riches may be less substantial than one might expect.