Ecc 4:7-8 | MHM | STEP | The Vanity of Human Wishes In this section, Solomon points out that people often desire more and more, but never find real happiness in what they have. He explains that selfishness leads people to work endlessly without enjoying their success. Solomon also teaches that friendship and community are much better than living only for yourself. A life spent alone, just gathering wealth, is empty and sad—while having others to share life with brings real reward and comfort. v. 7-8 : Solomon observes a person who is completely focused on himself. Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 ). This person works all the time, never satisfied, even though he has no family or friends to share his wealth with. He does not stop to ask, “Why am I doing this?” or “Who will benefit from my work?” In the end, he does not enjoy the good things he could have, and his hard work is wasted. This is a sad and lonely way to live, and Solomon says it is “vanity, and a sore travail.”

‏ Ecclesiastes 4:7-8

The Vanity of Human Wishes

In this section, Solomon points out that people often desire more and more, but never find real happiness in what they have. He explains that selfishness leads people to work endlessly without enjoying their success. Solomon also teaches that friendship and community are much better than living only for yourself. A life spent alone, just gathering wealth, is empty and sad—while having others to share life with brings real reward and comfort.

v. 7-8: Solomon observes a person who is completely focused on himself. Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 ^a). This person works all the time, never satisfied, even though he has no family or friends to share his wealth with. He does not stop to ask, “Why am I doing this?” or “Who will benefit from my work?” In the end, he does not enjoy the good things he could have, and his hard work is wasted. This is a sad and lonely way to live, and Solomon says it is “vanity, and a sore travail.”

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