Contradiction with Matthew 6:19-20
Matthew 6:19-20 suggests laying up treasures in heaven, contrasting with the idea of taking nothing from labor, implying eternal significance of earthly actions.
Matthew 6:19-20: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Contradiction with Matthew 25:21
Matthew 25:21 promotes the idea of rewards and inheritance for labor, contrary to taking nothing, by showing eternal rewards for faithfulness.
Matthew 25:21: His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Contradiction with 1 Timothy 6:17-19
This passage encourages the rich to do good and be generous, storing a good foundation for the future, contrasting with the futility of labor in Ecclesiastes.
1 Timothy 6:17-19: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches]
Contradiction with Luke 12:33-34
Jesus advises selling possessions and providing for others as a form of storing treasure in heaven, in contrast to taking nothing from one’s labor.
Luke 12:33-34: Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Contradiction with Proverbs 13:22
This verse speaks of a good man leaving an inheritance, contradicting the idea that nothing can be taken from one’s labor.
Proverbs 13:22: A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.
Paradox #1
Ecclesiastes 5:15 talks about leaving the world in the same way we entered it, with nothing. A potential theological conflict could be with teachings that emphasize accumulating spiritual or heavenly rewards through good deeds. If one focuses solely on this verse, it might suggest that nothing is gained after death, contradicting beliefs about eternal rewards or an afterlife in other parts of the Bible.
Paradox #2
The verse in Ecclesiastes 5:15 focuses on the futility of material wealth because we leave the world the same way we came into it, with nothing. A contradiction or conflict could arise when this idea is compared to other parts of the Bible that might emphasize the blessings and rewards of wealth as a sign of God's favor, like in Proverbs. This could seem inconsistent as different interpretations of wealth and prosperity are presented in other books.
Paradox #3
Ecclesiastes 5:15 talks about how we come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing, emphasizing the idea of not being able to take material wealth with us after death. A potential contradiction could be seen in the broader biblical context that encourages hard work and the gaining of wealth, as seen in other parts of the Bible. While this verse suggests the futility of accumulating wealth, other verses may suggest wealth as a sign of God's blessing, creating a tension between valuing spiritual wealth over material wealth.