11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?

Other Translations of Ecclesiastes 5:11

King James Version

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?

English Standard Version

11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

The Message

11 The more loot you get, the more looters show up. And what fun is that - to be robbed in broad daylight?

New King James Version

11 When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes?

New Living Translation

11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth-except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:11

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:9-17

(Read Ecclesiastes 5:9-17)

The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. There are bodily desires which silver itself will not satisfy, much less will worldly abundance satisfy spiritual desires. The more men have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests they must entertain, and the more they will have hanging on them. The sleep of the labourer is sweet, not only because he is tired, but because he has little care to break his sleep. The sleep of the diligent Christian, and his long sleep, are sweet; having spent himself and his time in the service of God, he can cheerfully repose in God as his Rest. But those who have every thing else, often fail to secure a good night's sleep; their abundance breaks their rest. Riches do hurt, and draw away the heart from God and duty. Men do hurt with their riches, not only gratifying their own lusts, but oppressing others, and dealing hardly with them. They will see that they have laboured for the wind, when, at death, they find the profit of their labour is all gone like the wind, they know not whither. How ill the covetous worldling bears the calamities of human life! He does not sorrow to repentance, but is angry at the providence of God, angry at all about him; which doubles his affliction.