Ecclesiastes 5:15
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. 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.
A person comes from the mother's womb naked and returns to go as he came, taking nothing of his labor that he may carry away in his hand. Leaving life is as empty-handed as entering it at birth, with none of the gains made through labor carried out of the world. People enter with nothing and return to the dust with nothing, since wealth cannot be taken away.
The difference between rich and poor does not change this final reality. Even the finest clothing prepared for burial makes little difference, because the body returns to dust. Greatness counts for nothing at birth and death, for sons of princes are born as naked as the poorest. A poor child can be as fair, well-favored, strong and witty as an heir of nobles, and all sicken alike, die alike and fare alike after death, carrying nothing away. Neither God nor nature nor disease nor death nor judgment respects greatness, and only goodness is worthy of respect.
Hoarded riches therefore cannot secure lasting benefit beyond death. No matter how much has been gathered, death strips away earthly wealth and the owner enters the grave with nothing from labor. A life spent gaining wealth without God ends with the owner dying and leaving it all behind, however much has been accumulated. Making riches the purpose of life is therefore warned against, and the brevity of life urges using it to do good and to make the world happier and better.
Riches are received from God rather than owned as an absolute personal possession. Those who have wealth are stewards responsible for dispensing it faithfully to benefit others, especially the poor. What passes beyond death is only what is spiritual and morally good, namely truth, honesty, fairness, generosity and affection. These qualities measure a person's lasting worth, while material achievements are left behind. The only treasure that carries through death is hope of heaven through Jesus' atoning blood, because it is a heavenly inheritance rather than an earthly possession.