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Vanity is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Scripture warns against becoming vain, prideful, and arrogant. It cautions against seeking worldly things like riches, possessions, and outward beauty over pursuing righteousness, humility, and a relationship with God. There are many verses that touch on the topics of vanity, pride, arrogance, fleeting pleasures, and earthly things that do not last versus eternal things that have true value.
In Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon later in his life, the entire book focuses on the vanity and meaninglessness of earthly pursuits apart from God. Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” This verse establishes the theme that all human endeavors are pointless without an eternal perspective. Solomon, known for being the wisest and richest king of Israel, concluded that life is vain chasing after wealth, pleasure, acclaim, and accomplishments apart from a relationship with God. Later in Ecclesiastes 12:8, Solomon again says, “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.” After a lifetime of pursuing knowledge, women, accumulated wealth, completed projects, entertainment, and everything this world offered, Solomon realized all of it was meaningless without honoring God.
Proverbs also contains many verses warning against vanity, pride, and arrogance. Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” This verse cautions against pride that blinds us and often leads to harm. Proverbs 21:4 says, “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.” Here, arrogance is associated with sinfulness and wickedness. Proverbs 16:5 adds, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” This verse makes clear that God detests arrogance and will discipline those who continually walk in pride. Proverbs 26:12 claims, “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Someone who thinks they know everything without wisdom from God is worse off than an acknowledged fool. Proverbs 11:2 also warns, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” All these Proverbs associate vanity, pride and arrogance with foolishness and suffering in contrast to the wisdom, blessings, and rewards of living humbly before God.
The book of Ecclesiastes also associates vanity with fleeting pleasures and possessions that do not ultimately satisfy. Ecclesiastes 2:1 says, “I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.’ But behold, this also was vanity.” Solomon tried to find meaning through wine, great works, entertainment, and physical pleasure but concluded these were all meaningless and vain pursuits apart from God. Ecclesiastes 5:10 adds, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” Solomon realizes that accumulating wealth and possessions does not lead to satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 2:26 summarizes, “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” Solomon concludes that a life focused on pleasure-seeking and wealth-gathering is vain and purposeless.
The book of Psalms also warns against the vanity of riches and trust in earthly things for security. Psalm 49:16-17 states, “Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.” These verses remind us that money has no value after death and cannot deliver anyone from future judgment. Psalm 62:9-10 adds, “Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.” These verses warn against finding security in wealth or social status which are fleeting instead of eternal things like one’s relationship with God.
There are also many verses in Psalms and Proverbs that contrast the vanity of focusing on outer appearances versus the importance of developing godly character. Proverbs 31:30 states, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” This reminds us that outward beauty fades, but reverence for God endures. Psalm 39:5 says, “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” This verse puts the brevity of life in perspective compared to eternity. Our lives on earth are short and fleeting. Proverbs also states in 15:13, “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.” The state of one’s spirit impacts one’s countenance far more than physical features. 1 Timothy 4:8 adds, “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Here, Paul contrasts earthly exercise with eternal spiritual training. While caring for one’s body is worthwhile, pursuing godliness has far greater benefits both now and for eternity. 1 Peter 3:3-4 also tells believers, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” This encourages focusing on cultivating inner beauty rather than being preoccupied by decorative outward adorning.
There are also passages warning against pursuing fame, prestige, and the acclaim of others rather than eternally valuable things like humility and service to God. Jesus criticized the religious leaders of his day saying, “They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:5-6). He called them out for arrogantly seeking admiration and stature which would not last instead of pursuing righteousness and the kingdom of God. Proverbs 27:2 also warns, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” This verse cautions against self-promotion and arrogantly trumpeting one’s own acclaim rather than letting one’s character and accomplishments speak for themselves. Finally, Philippians 2:3 instructs believers to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Here, Paul encourages finding purpose through humility and valuing others over selfish pursuit of fame, prestige or power which is vain apart from honoring God.
In contrast to worthless vanity, the Bible urges depositing value into eternal investments like relationships with God and others. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Here Jesus contrasts storing up temporary worldly treasures with making eternal spiritual investments. He concludes that what someone values most is seen by examining where they spend their time and resources. 2 Corinthians 4:18 also reminds, “…we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” This verse encourages viewing life through a lens of eternity and therefore investing in building God’s kingdom rather than pursuing fleeting vanities.
Paul urges Timothy to tell rich people, “…not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). This admonition applies to all believers who must avoid pride and hope in fleeting riches but gratefully enjoy everything God provides and use it to honor eternal purposes.
The teacher of Ecclesiastes also comes to this same conclusion after exploring the vanity of worldly pursuits. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 he writes, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” After assessing the emptiness of selfish striving for pleasure, possessions, acclaim, accomplishments and knowledge under the sun, the wise teacher concludes that humans were created to revere, obey and be accountable to God who lends a life its meaning and purpose.
Here is a summary of some key Bible verses about vanity:
Ecclesiastes 1:2 – “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Ecclesiastes 2:1 – “I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.’ But behold, this also was vanity.”
Psalm 49:16-17 – “Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.”
Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Matthew 23:5-6 – Jesus criticizes religious leaders for arrogantly seeking admiration and stature.
Matthew 6:19-21 – Jesus contrasts storing up worldly treasures with making eternal spiritual investments.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – After exploring vanity, the teacher says, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
In summary, the Bible clearly speaks against pursuing vanity, pride, arrogance, fleeting pleasures, riches, fame, and outward appearance over values like humility, righteousness, and service to God. Scripture emphasizes that these vain pursuits do not satisfy and warn against seeking earthly things that have no eternal significance instead of pursuing relationship with God. The solution to vanity offered by the Bible is reverence for God, trust in his provision, generously using everything he gives to bless others, and keeping an eternal perspective.