The Quiet of the Laborer and the Sorrow of Riches

Ecclesiastes 5:12 comes to life in this quiet setting: "The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep." The cabin, isolated in the peaceful night, is a place of rest and simplicity, where the laborer, weary from his honest work, finds peace. The glow from the window symbolizes the comfort that comes from a life lived in balance, where sleep is not interrupted by the anxieties of wealth and excess. In contrast, the cold, expansive night symbolizes the "abundance of the rich," where no matter how much is gained, the soul is restless, and true peace cannot be found.  

In Ecclesiastes 5:13, "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt," the celestial night and distant planets remind us of the untouchable nature of material wealth. The stars are beautiful but unreachable, much like the riches that humans pursue, often leading to their downfall. The art reflects how wealth, hoarded and guarded, becomes a source of hurt rather than joy. The tree, rooted but standing precariously at the edge of the cliff, represents the dangerous attachment to possessions, where one’s stability is constantly at risk.  

The sorrow of riches is further echoed in Ecclesiastes 5:14, "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand." The lone figure of the house reflects the isolation that comes when riches vanish, leaving behind nothing to pass on to the next generation. The peaceful snow around the cabin stands in stark contrast to the darkness that looms just beyond, signifying the fleeting nature of material wealth.  

As Ecclesiastes 5:15 warns, "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand." The night sky, with its vastness and beauty, is a metaphor for life’s eternal cycle. The viewer is reminded that no matter what is accumulated during life, we leave this world with nothing. The cabin, small and humble, symbolizes the simplicity and truth that all material pursuits are temporary, and what truly matters is the peace one finds within, not the riches left behind.  

The final verses, Ecclesiastes 5:16-17, "And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness," are represented by the darkened, star-filled sky. The expansive universe is a visual reminder of how labor and wealth can feel like "chasing the wind" — beautiful but intangible. The flowers in the foreground, delicate and luminous in the night, are reminders of life’s brief joys that can be easily overshadowed by sorrow, sickness, and the pursuit of wealth.  

The verses from Ecclesiastes 5:12-17 provide a sobering reflection on the fleeting nature of wealth and the importance of finding peace in simplicity. In today’s world, where materialism and the pursuit of wealth often lead to stress, anxiety, and discontent, these lines remind us that true peace comes from balance, hard work, and contentment, not from hoarding riches. The art reflects this truth visually, showing that the beauty of life, much like the night sky or blooming flowers, is often found in the simplest things.  

This biblical wisdom teaches us to value what truly matters — the warmth of home, the comfort of rest, and the fleeting but beautiful moments of life. It helps people to reframe their relationship with work and material wealth, encouraging them to seek peace in their labor rather than endless accumulation. The artwork invites viewers to reflect on the vastness of the universe and the smallness of human pursuits, reminding them that the pursuit of wealth is often vanity, and that true happiness is found in contentment and simplicity.