Ecclesiastes 5:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The individual who desires silver will find no fulfillment in it, and the one who craves wealth will not truly benefit from it. This, too, is meaningless. The abundance of goods brings no true advantage to the one who possesses them, aside from merely gazing upon them. The term silver in the original Greek can also refer to money, as both are captured by the word άργυριον. Tullius notes that those who first held wealth were identified as rich (pecuniosos) because they owned many cattle, which was a sign of affluence in ancient times. Over time, this meaning has shifted into broader contexts. The miser is portrayed in such a way that he is perpetually unsatisfied with his wealth; the more he accumulates, the greater his longing becomes.

What can be said about avarice, that endless craving for riches and material possessions? The more a covetous individual accumulates, the poorer they perceive themselves to be. Greed begrudges everything, holding tightly to its own; despite having immense wealth, it leaves one impoverished, feeling as if they lack resources, even when surrounded by abundance. There is no measure of riches where unchecked desire reigns. Avarice stirs the spirit and consumes it with its flames, differing from infidelity only in its longing to possess material wealth and property.

Just as stolen possessions are inherently harmful and sinful, a person who is consumed by greed will never find fulfillment or goodwill among others, no matter how much wealth they accumulate. This, indeed, is mere futility.

The focus shifts to the execution of justice. Injustice should not lead him to lose hope, for the supreme judge will reward those in subordinate positions. Furthermore, even tyrannical authority should not bring about despair, as it is preferable to having no power at all. Regarding the topic of wealth, the preacher advises that the impoverished individual who laments his financial situation should not begrudge the affluent for their riches, as the poor may experience greater joy in life than the wealthy. Additionally, the affluent may not always make the best use of their riches. Thus, the most commendable approach is to take delight in the provisions that God grants, without being anxious about what lies ahead.