Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 You Can't Take It With You

You Can’t Take It With You

Ecclesiastes 5:8–20 KJV 1900

8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? 17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. 18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19 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. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

This week we think of the old familiar saying: “You can’t take it with you.”

Back in the day, Faygo, Shasta, Sam’s Choice can drinks were .25¢, Nehi might be thirty-five cents.

I remember being shocked when the name brand can drinks went up to .75¢ and gas was $1.15 a gallon.

Back in the day, a dollar actually felt like it was worth something.

I remember, especially when I would get birthday cards with money from my aunts and uncles and my grandparents being excited and able to actually do something with a five dollar bill. Once putting them all together, I might have $40.

And don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about the ages where money just doesn’t fascinate you like the other things because Oakley, at this age, just will be just as excitable or non-enthusiastic about a $2 bill as he would $100 bill.

I remember once I got my birthday money my mom would take me to Wal-Mart and let me pick out what I wanted to buy.

Man that $40 or so spread a lot further than it does today!

But one truth has never changed no matter what generation you are from. You can’t take it with you. No matter how big your house, how new your car, or how large your savings account, the day will come when you leave it all behind.

Someone else will drive your car, spend your money, and live in your house. As one preacher said, “I’ve never seen a U-haul behind a hearse.”

The Bible teaches us this truth clearly. Ecclesiastes reminds us that money cannot satisfy and possessions cannot last.

Jesus warns us not to lay up treasure on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break through and steal. Instead, He calls us to invest in what lasts forever.

So let’s look at God’s Word today and learn together how to keep money in its place while keeping God on the throne.

I. The Problem with Possessions

People think what they need to be happy is more things, or more money.

Wealth promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness.

All those things just end up in the garage or shed, or worse you pay someone else to store it for you and then ultimately everything we own ends up at the trash dump!

Solomon begins by showing us the trap of loving money.

He says no matter how much silver or wealth a person gains, it will never be enough.

Ecclesiastes 5:10–12 KJV 1900

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

That’s because…

A. Possessions Create Dissatisfaction (v.10)

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

The more you have, the more you want.

Money never cures greed; it only feeds it.

John D. Rockefeller was once asked, “How much money is enough?” He replied, “Just a little bit more.”

That is the heart of dissatisfaction.

Proverbs 27:20 says,

Proverbs 27:20 KJV 1900

20 Hell and destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.

If you love money, you will never have enough.

Only God can fill the emptiness of the human soul.

Not only do possessions leave us dissatisfied, they also steal our peace.

TV and the Social Media just feeds the problem!

Whether it’s Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, or MTV Cribs from the 90’s, or Keeping Down with The Kardashians, or the Real Housewives of Nowhere Special…or wherever. It feeds covetousness and greed.

Christians ought not waste their time with that frivolity! Because the more we gather, the more anxious we become.

That’s because…

B. Possessions Create Anxiety (v. 12)

12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

The more you own, the more you worry about losing it.

You go from enjoying money to being enslaved by it.

Do you remember playing Monopoly. At the start of the game it is fun to buy properties. But once people begin buying hotels across the board, every roll of the dice feels like a threat.

You worry more when you have more.

1 Timothy 6:10 warns,

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV 1900

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

More money does not bring more peace.

True peace comes only when we trust God as our provider.

So money cannot and will not satisfy us and it certainly will not calm us. In fact, it does the opposite—it gives us the dangerous illusion that we are secure.

C. Possessions Create Illusions (v. 13-14)

13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

We think wealth will keep us safe, but riches can vanish in a moment.

The stock market crash of 1929 left millionaires standing in breadlines overnight.

What they thought was secure was gone in a day.

The Silicone Valley startups that didn’t make it for very long showed the same thing.

Social Media influencers who gain some fame, but lose it all.

A clear majority of lottery winners do end up blowing their winnings and falling into serious financial trouble. Across multiple independent studies, the data converges on one striking reality: roughly 70% of lottery winners lose or severely mismanage their winnings within 5–10 years, often ending in bankruptcy, legal trouble, or complete financial collapse.

The research highlights several repeating patterns:

1. Overspending and lifestyle inflation

80% of winners increase annual expenses by 300% or more.

82% buy luxury vehicles quickly; many trade them in within 3 years.

Average bankrupt winner spends $500,000 on non-essential purchases within 6 months.

2. Taxes and poor financial planning

60% face tax bills exceeding 30% of their jackpot.

70% don’t understand tax obligations, leading to unpaid taxes and legal trouble.

3. Bad investments and scams

40% invest in Ponzi schemes or high‑yield scams.

45% hire unethical advisors who embezzle money.

4. Pressure from family, friends, and strangers

70% receive constant requests for money within 6 months.

40% are sued by family or business partners.

The Bible tells us…If your security is in wealth, you are building on sand.

If your security is in Christ, you are building on the Rock. We have seen that money cannot satisfy us, it cannot calm our anxieties, and it cannot give us the security we think it will.

But Solomon reminds us of an even greater truth—no matter how much we gain in this life, one day we will leave it all behind. Possessions not only fail us in life, they cannot follow us in death.

II. The Passing of Possessions

15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

You cannot take earthly wealth with you when you die. This is Solomon’s harshest reality of all.

Not only will money fail us in life, it cannot follow us in death.

A. Possessions Cannot Go Beyond the Grave (v. 15)

15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

Every one of us enters the world with nothing, and every one of us leaves the world with nothing.

It does not matter how wealthy or powerful a person becomes—death strips away every earthly treasure.

The Pharaohs of Egypt were buried with gold, chariots, and treasures for the afterlife. Yet when archaeologists opened the tombs, the treasures were still there thousands of years later. The Pharaoh left the world just as empty-handed as a poor shepherd.

Job 1:21 says,

Job 1:21 KJV 1900

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Do not live as though this world is all there is. Live in light of eternity, because nothing you own will go beyond the grave.

If possessions cannot go with us, then what real profit do they provide?

Solomon answers: none.

B. Possessions Cannot Provide True Profit (v. 16)

16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

Living for money is like chasing the wind.

No matter how fast you run or how hard you work, you will never catch it.

A man may spend his whole life building a fortune, only to leave it to heirs who squander it in a few short years.

Ecclesiastes 2:18–19 says,

Ecclesiastes 2:18–19 KJV 1900

18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

Luke 12:20 records God’s words to the rich fool who tried to build larger barns to store his riches:

Luke 12:20 KJV 1900

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

If your goal in life is to pile up possessions, you are labouring for the wind.

True profit comes only when we invest in the eternal purposes of God. If wealth cannot satisfy, cannot calm our anxieties, cannot secure us, and cannot go with us into eternity, then what should we do with it?

Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 6.

III. The Proper Perspective on Possessions

Matthew 6:19–21,

Matthew 6:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

We as followers of Christ must invest in eternal treasure, not earthly treasure.

Solomon showed us that wealth cannot satisfy us, cannot secure us, and cannot go with us when we die.

Jesus now tells us how to live differently.

He shows us where to invest our treasure, where to set our heart, and whom we must serve.

He tells us we need to …

A. Store Treasure in Heaven

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Earthly treasures are temporary and fragile.

Heavenly treasures are eternal and secure.

Charles Spurgeon said, “The way to make the most of your gold is to use it in doing good.”

1 Timothy 6:18 urges us,

1 Timothy 6:18 KJV 1900

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Use your earthly resources for eternal purposes.

Supporting missionaries so the gospel reaches people who have never heard the name of Jesus.

Giving to your local church so the Word of God is preached and lives are changed.

Providing Bibles for new believers who have none of their own through the Gideons program or another one.

Helping fund Christian camps or youth ministries where young people make life-changing decisions for Christ.

Supporting Christian education through the Sunday School or another ministry God leads you to so children can be trained to follow the Lord.

Meeting the physical needs of a struggling family in Jesus’ name so that they can be blessed.

Using your home to host a Bible study or prayer group so others can grow in their faith.

Investing time and money into mentoring, discipling, and encouraging other believers.

Every act of generosity, every investment in missions, every offering given to the Lord is treasure stored in heaven that will never be lost.

Jesus not only tells us where to store our treasure, but He also tells us why. Because wherever our treasure is, our heart will follow.

B. Set Your Heart on Eternity

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Your heart always follows your investments.

If you treasure earthly things, your heart will cling to this world.

If you treasure heavenly things, your heart will long for eternity.

Imagine having two bank accounts—one on earth and one in heaven.

Which one are you making deposits into more often?

Colossians 3:2 says,

Colossians 3:2 KJV 1900

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Looking at two things in particular will reveal where your treasure is: your bank statement and your calendar.

Invest in eternity and your heart will follow heavenward.

Finally, Jesus reminds us that treasure is not just about location or affection. It is about devotion.

You must choose who you serve.

C. Serve God, Not Wealth

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Jesus makes it plain—wealth and God cannot both be your master.

It is not possible to serve both.

A servant cannot take orders from two masters at once.

One will eventually take priority.

Joshua 24:15 says,

Joshua 24:15 KJV 1900

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

You cannot claim to serve God if your true devotion belongs to money.

You must choose today—will you live for the temporary or for the eternal?

Conclusion

You can’t take it with you! It is true.

No one has ever been buried with their wealth and taken it with them.

Jim Elliot, the Christian martyr once said that well known and often repeated quote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

That is the perspective every Christian must have about money and possessions.

So what will you do with your treasure?

Will you spend your life chasing what cannot last?

Or will you use what you have to invest in eternity?

Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God. Make that choice today.

Choose treasure that cannot be lost. Choose to serve the Master who will never fail you.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior?

Have you trusted Him and His sacrifice on teh cross as your only way to Heaven?

Charlie Kirk once said,

“If you hear anything about life or death hear this: eternity is real, and your decision about Jesus is the most important one you’ll ever make. No political system, wealth or fame can compare with eternal life in Christ.”

I hope everyone here will choose to follow Christ with their life, and invest in eternity.