Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

"And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun. For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun? For all his days are [but] sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity. There is nothing better for a man [than] that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? For to the man that pleaseth him [God] giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind." — Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 (ASV)

Our hearts are very reluctant to give up their expectations of great things from creation; but Solomon eventually came to this. The world is a vale of tears, even for those who have much of it. See what fools they are who make themselves slaves to the world, which affords a person nothing better than subsistence for the body.

And the utmost a person can attain in this respect is to allow himself a sober, cheerful use of them, according to his rank and condition. But we must enjoy good in our labor; we must use those things to make us diligent and cheerful in worldly business. And this is the gift of God.

Riches are a blessing or a curse to a person, depending on whether they have the heart to make good use of them. To those who are accepted by the Lord, He gives joy and satisfaction in the knowledge and love of Him. But to the sinner He allots labor, sorrow, vanity, and vexation in seeking a worldly portion, which eventually comes into better hands.

Let the sinner seriously consider his end. To seek a lasting portion in the love of Christ and the blessings it bestows is the only way to true and satisfying enjoyment, even of this present world.