Ecclesiastes 5:14 Commentary and Bible Study

Another connected source of sorrow is the false hope and false expectation that riches raise, only to come to nothing. It is more painful for a man to hope and to have his hope disappointed than never to have raised his expectations in the first place. A man hopes that through his riches will come elevation in society, increased security, additional comforts, an opportunity to enjoy luxuries, and above all (in this verse) the ability to pass all these things on to his children. He hopes to spare the child some of the hardships that his father suffered, and make life easier for him; may all those sacrifices of time and effort that the father made not be for nothing. So the father’s hopes are raised and all looks good. He begins to count on life being very different for his son and relaxes a little instead of bracing himself against hard times. The future looks brighter, he has done well to provide for those who come after him. The prospect of a bountiful future inheritance altered the way the son lived and even altered his character, so that he began to live it up on the strength of his promised riches, and borrowed against an uncertain future. He became proud and haughty, and arrogant, looking down on lesser people around him. He perhaps told himself that he would not have to work because he would inherit his father’s estate and slot right in to his new role as lord of all. Already, the good that the father thought to do to his own son is instead having an effect he never intended for evil.But then comes an unexpected misfortune and the hopes that was built on that foundation of riches over so many years, collapses in a moment. He is forced to adjust to the new reality. He is back where he started and having promised himself relief from worry about the future, he must pick up the burden of all those cares all over again and proceed to stagger forward with a load that he hoped would be gone for ever. His son also has heard the promise and turns to him in expectation but there is nothing in his hand. He is a disappointment to himself and the disappointment to all those around him. Earthly riches have raised him up and then dashed him down again. The father has taught his son to think as he thinks – that riches in this life equal happiness – and not only has he corrupted his son’s think, but he has also brought sever disappointment, leaving the son utterly unprepared for the style of life he is now going to have to face. Instead of teaching his son to live by faith and to have his treasure in heaven, he has taught him to expect his good things in this life and given him nothing.