Lipservice and Promises | Vanity of Accomplishment & Wealth
Read Ecclesiastes 5
In today’s chapter, Solomon turns to exhortations specifically regarding our mouth and sin. He provides instruction on how we should live. It is interesting how he begins: “Guard your steps when you go to God’s house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don’t know that they do evil (Ecclesiastes 5:1 WEB).” Solomon begins with how we approach God. How we worship is foundational. Are we sincere and seeking in our worship or are we foolish and preference-focused? We should draw near to listen primarily, not to speak or to do. Every Believer’s lifeblood is feeding on the Word of God.
As we continue in the chapter we see:
· Take heed, your mouth can lead you to sin. Even well-intentioned words like Peter’s “Ill die for you, Jesus,” can be flesh-fruit and not Spirit-fruit.
· Many dreams are not good. I live in a culture that screams that you should believe in yourself and follow your heart/dream. But is that how God instructs us to live? Does it really lead to the abundant life Jesus promised?
· A Believer must fear God. You serve who you fear. Fear is foundational. Not a cowering fear, but a trembling fear out of awe, respect and reverence for God’s power and authority. When I see a great and mighty river, I tremble at thinking of swimming out into the midst of it. The water is strong! Do we have a like view of God?
· Violence, oppression, injustice, political underhandedness, excessive taxation - these things in the world should not surprises us. Don’t marvel at the world’s corruption. It is evil because mankind is evil; because you and I are evil and desperately wicked. But praise be to God that Christ died a bloody death to extend grace to me the worst of all sinners!
· A love of money and materialism is a desire that will never be satisfied. So, it’s better to give it up and seek the One who will satisfy.
· Here is a mystery: a laborer has sweeter sleep though he has little than the rich who has much. A focus on being rich often kills the health and steals one’s peace. Reality is that just as we came naked, helpless, empty handed into this world, so shall we leave.
Solomon concludes with some joyous thoughts!
“Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.”
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 WEB
It is a good thing that God gives us enjoyment, that we eat and drink God’s provision! If God gives us abundance, God alone can also give enjoyment of it (the wicked God often gives wealth to make them despair and miserable that they might turn to Him). The heart of God’s favored one will not have to sit and contemplate why his life has gone such and so for God is his present and future joy!
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