A man to whom God hath given, &c.— From the 18th verse of the foregoing chapter to the present, we have the 2nd proof of the 2nd proposition, which is taken from the insufficiency of riches to give a man any real satisfaction, even though the actual possession of them should never be taken from him. It was observed before, (ch. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 3:22.) that the only advantage to be had from earthly acquisitions is present enjoyment. But it was remarked likewise, that this is the gift of God, and is not in any man's power, except it be given him from above. Now Solomon adds a further observation, which had been already hinted at, chap. Ecclesiastes 2:24 but not fully explained; viz. that possession and fruition are so far from being necessarily linked together, that the Supreme Dispenser of all things, as experience testifies, often grants the one without granting the other. And what is the use of riches to one who starves in the midst of plenty, but to torment him?
Thus he might have been happier and less uneasy without riches, than he is with them; chap. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. This observation, however, is set in a very strong light, by the opposition of the case of another man, to whom God Almighty granted both wealth and enjoyment. This man, indeed, has no cause to complain, or to reckon his days as if they were burdensome to him; but as he is indebted to God's liberality, and not to his own labour and industry, for the ease and happiness that he enjoys, his case is no objection to the general observation laid down in the present proposition. That observation, on the other hand, is strongly confirmed by the instance of the unhappy rich man; viz. that every thing in this world, when considered in itself, is vain, and rather fit to torment men's minds, than to give them any real satisfaction, chap. Ecclesiastes 6:1-2.