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Ecclesiastes 5:13

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ecclesiastes 5:13

Verse 13 of 20

Scripture focus

There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

Ecclesiastes 5:13 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:13

Theological / Devotional

A sore evil. That is, a grievous wrong.

Riches kept. This wrong consists in the hoarding of wealth instead of putting it to use. With the possession of means comes the obligation to use it for the common good (see Matt. 19:20, 21). Compare the counsel of Paul (1 Tim. 6:9, 10).

To their hurt. Loss of sleep, due to anxiety over the investment and guarding of wealth, often plagues its possessors (see v. 12). Certain criminal elements consider them fair game for exploitation. Again they worry that their heirs may squander the fruits of their arduous labors. But the most grievous injury occasioned by the hoarding of wealth is to one’s character (see Prov. 11:24; Luke 12:16-21).

By SdaBc