Sermons on Ecclesiastes 2:17-21:

Leaving A Spiritual Legacy

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 16, 2025

What will you leave behind when your life on earth is over? The Scriptures tell us that a spiritual legacy is far more valuable and lasting than any financial inheritance.

As I look back over the first 65 years of my life [65 years, two months, and two weeks, to be precise, tick tock], I’ve been thinking a bit more about what difference my life has made so far, what more I would like to accomplish, and what I will be leaving behind, when eventually I “shuffle off ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5, Ecclesiastes 2:17-21, Matthew 6:19-21, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Peter 1:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"all Is Vanity"

Contributed by William Erhart on Jul 27, 2025

The crux of my message is that everything lived under the sun is indeed vain and meaningless, even wisdom, but that done in Christ is eternally valuable.

Now, I want to start today by asking you all some questions. I won't go on for too long, but I just want to make sure everyone is awake because I know what it is like to sit down for chapel in the morning. I will, however, ask that you please spare me your attention for these next few moments ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 1:21, Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 10:31  (view more)  (view less)

Sorrow And Vanity Versus Life In Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 30, 2025

We know what brings happiness, and it's not more and more "stuff."

Eighteenth Sunday in Course 2025 It’s always a challenge to interpret a public proclamation that begins with the word “If,” as today’s reading from St. Paul does. He tells the church at Colossae (and us) “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Colossians 3:9-11, Psalm 90:3-6, Psalm 90:12-17, Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 2:21-23, Luke 12:13-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

What Does A Man Get For His Toil?

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 5, 2001

“For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labours under the sun?”

Theme: What does a man gain for his toil Text: Eccl. 1:2, 2:21-23; Col. 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk. 12:13-21 Read Eccl. 2:21-23 “For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. What does a man get for all the toil and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Ecclesiastes 2:21-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Chasing After... Career Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 22, 2003

We seek meaning for our lives in the very same places the Teacher looked in Ecclesiastes ... and are all ultimately meaningless without God.

American Idols: #1 Work Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 We’re beginning a new series tonight entitled "American Idols." You may be familiar with the popular Fox television show where contestants show off their singing talents and vie to become the next "American Idol." You’d have to have been on another ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:11-23, Ecclesiastes 4:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Test: Is Foolishness The Better Choice? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 16, 2003

Both foolishness and wisdom fail to satisfy. Both lead us to find the answer somewhere else.

The Test: Is Foolishness the Better Choice? (Ecclesiastes 2) Note: The illustrations in this sermon were mostly borrowed from Sermon Central Intro 1. This is the 100th anniversary of powered flight! It was 100 years ago that the Wright Brothers successfully flew the first airplane at Kitty ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26, Proverbs 14:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are You Pursuing In Life?

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Jan 12, 2004

We need to find that life under the sun will not satify

Comments received by the Forest Service on registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips: "A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call." "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections." ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:13-15, Ecclesiastes 2:20-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Empthiness Of Good Feeling

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Jan 29, 2004

Just feeling good is not what is all about

"People are just about as happy as they’re willing to be." -- Abraham Lincoln "Don’t mistake pleasures for happiness. They’re a different breed of dog." -- Josh Billings "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt "The problem with the rat race is that even ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Solomon, A Man Who Grew To Hate Life

Contributed by Guy Glass on Aug 20, 2004

As we approach the book of Ecclesiastes, we get a profound glimpse into the later years of the life of Solomon, King of Israel, and gifted by God with intelligence far beyond his contemporaries. Yet, as Solomon aged, his focus changed, he was drawn away

KING SOLOMON A Man Who Grew To Hate Life Ecclesiastes 2 INTRODUCTION: As we approach the book of Ecclesiastes, we get a profound glimpse into the later years of the life of Solomon, King of Israel, and gifted by God with intelligence far beyond his contemporaries. Yet, as Solomon aged, his focus ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Search For Meaning Of Life

Contributed by Douglas Nieuwstraten on Oct 18, 2000

Introduction Believe it or not, all of us are engaged in a search either for happiness or to find the meaning of life.

Introduction Believe it or not, all of us are engaged in a search either for happiness or to find the meaning of life. Look around you and think about what you see going on. As I look at the media, liturature, and culture itself I notice these six things: 1) A culture attempting to define human ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Hope Beyond Disappointment: Following Jesus When Life Feels Empty Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 5, 2026

There are seasons when our deepest hopes feel deferred, when our dreams are shattered, and when our efforts seem futile. The Word of God speaks with a voice that cuts through despair and points us toward hope found in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Hope Beyond Disappointment: Following Jesus When Life Feels Empty Introduction Whether we admit it or not, life often leaves us disappointed. There are seasons when our deepest hopes feel deferred, when our dreams are shattered, and when our efforts seem futile. We scroll through social media and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:12, Ecclesiastes 1:2-4, Ecclesiastes 1:5-9, Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Ecclesiastes 2:17, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Psalm 37:4-5, Romans 8:28, Colossians 3:2, Matthew 6:19-21, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Romans 15:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Graduate Studies Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 21, 2011

A study of chapter 2 verses 1 through 26

Ecclesiastes 2: 1 – 26 Graduate Studies 1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Search For Fulfillment Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 17, 2009

Fulfillment says that your deepest need is met and that you need look no further

SERIES: “BE SATISFIED” “THE SEARCH FOR FULFILLMENT” ECCLESIASTES 2:1-26 Two prisoners are shackled to the wall of a deep dark dungeon. They’re spread-eagled, securely fastened by manacles and chains. Their hanging suspended, side-by-side, a few feet above the damp floor of the dungeon. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Simple Gifts Of Life Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 9, 2009

6th in a series from Ecclesiastes. when viewed from God’s perpsective, even the simple gifts in life can give us joy.

I can still remember when we had a birthday party for Pam. Mary and I had bought her a small plastic slide, which we just knew that she and all her friends were going to love. So imagine our surprise when after we had taken the slide out of the box, all the kids had more fun playing with the empty ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Understand And Enjoy Your Job

Contributed by Greg Addison on Nov 5, 2008

Due to its importance in our lives, either our Christian life will impact our working life, or our working life will impact our Christian life. Therefore, we must develop a biblical perspective of our professional lives in order to avoid the trap of sin a

Learning to UNDERSTAND and ENJOY Your Job THEME: Due to its importance in our lives, either our Christian life will impact our working life, or our working life will impact our Christian life. Therefore, we must develop a biblical perspective of our professional lives in order to avoid the trap of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Baptist