In the book of Ecclesiastes, the wise man spoke about the futility of life “under the sun.” One of the reasons why he saw his earthly existence as futile was that he would leave the fruit of his labor to someone else. In the passage below, he described the real possibility that his earthly possessions would be left to someone who would squander them or act foolishly with them.

“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

“Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity.

“Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.

“For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23).

What’s the point? In essence, this was what the wise man was asking. He viewed with despair the prospect of the material things he worked hard to obtain and maintain going to someone who would not appreciate or use them properly.

When we reach the age at which our time on earth is growing shorter, we will likely start having similar thoughts as the wise man. We may ask, What should happen with our wealth or possessions when we die? Are there principles and instructions in God’s word that will help us with this? Yes! We will consider some points in this article.Continue Reading