Ecclesiastes 5 APPROACHING GOD When we approach God in worship, we must show reverence for Him because of who He is as the Supreme One in the universe. Worship of God is to be done in full awareness as to who God is and what is appropriate and real on my part. Superficial religion is meaningless from people who are simply creatures of His making. Respect and honor for God are always right. We are not able in any way to manipulate God by making vows that sound sincere. Wisdom in making any commitment to the Lord is very important, rather than being a fool by making a rash vow on the spur of the moment. Motivation and manipulation are not too distant cousins. God intends His people to honor Him in their lives by demonstrating His truth and His integrity. I must be careful when I go before the Lord that I have no hidden agenda, but an open attitude and heart as I approach Him. In humility, this will put us in a condition in which we are ready to listen to Him rather than have a lot to say ourselves.
Our actions and attitude when we go to the house of God should be to hear His word, pay attention to what He is teaching us, and not make long thoughtless prayers with a lot of words. When we are open to divine instruction, we realize we are on holy ground both as worshippers and learners. When we recognize God for who He is and listen to
Him, then we will obey Him. To listen to instruction is one thing. To obey it is another. The “sacrifice of fools” is to make promises but not keep them. To make vows and not fulfill them. Spur-of-the-moment promises really are foolish acts made by foolish people who really don’t know what they are doing. Avoid making rash statements before thinking about what you are saying. To make promises without keeping them indicates a person does not realize the great difference between God and humans. The knowledge of God produces reverence and godly fear.
What a person intends to do and what they actually do, are often very different. Words without substance are characteristics of a fool. Verbosity without reality is common to fools. Vows without serious consideration before making them doesn’t make them less serious. Vows are not necessary, but when they are made, they are unbreakable. Partial fulfillment is not accepting the terms of the vows. To say one made a mistake in making a vow does not take away the responsibility to fulfill it. If I have vowed to give something or do something at a particular time, then that is when it is due. Mortgages, loans etc. are also legal vows that must be paid on the due date. That is one reason why the scriptures say, “Owe no man anything.” Superficial religiosity is of no value, because God is neither pleased nor satisfied with empty ritual and empty words. Sincerity of heart will be evident in sincere obedience to our Lord.
This section of the chapter begins with saying in essence, “Don’t be surprised by high government officials who are unjust and corrupt.” The Preacher knew people and he had no illusions as to the oppression imposed on the poor by those who abuse their position. Political corruption is as rampant today as it was in ancient Israel. Everyone in the country takes a cut off everything produced in one way or another. If a leader is concerned about what is as basic as the production of food, and the beginning of the food chain, then everyone will benefit from his wisdom. The transient nature of wealth will never satisfy a person, has no lasting profit, leaves a person unsettled in mind and can claim your soul because it is so temporary.
The preacher teaches from verse ten on that riches are meaningless and that greed is relentless. No matter how much a person accumulates, the thirst for more is unquenchable. There are benefits to wealth, but there are also significant downsides to it if a person does not use wisdom in the gathering and use of riches. Anxiety increase. Dissatisfaction does not go away. Even though warnings are given from many people against loving money, they go unheeded. Writings by ancient and modern writers are read and ignored. People still pursue more. A person may be brought out of poverty by the use of wealth and for a while there is happiness, but it is short-lived. As the years pass even though wealth continues to increase for that person, happiness and satisfaction doesn’t.
There are disadvantages that come to the wealthy in that other people will want to get much of what you have worked for, without working themselves. Phony investors promise great interest rates. Religious hucksters will keep asking you for money to support a project in which they are involved, but much of that money is used for “administration purposes.” Thieves of one kind or another will mark you. Distant relatives you never heard of will show up. A lot of other people will come around with desires and demands. Besides that, there is only so much time you will spend looking at an expensive painting or piece of art work. After a while it is just there but hardly thought about or looked at with more than a casual glance. All the expensive things you get to look at or use, will soon lose their attraction.
Another disadvantage from the accumulation of wealth is the fear that you will lose it. Being content with what one has is of far more value than what you think you might want or what you accumulate. Having treasure in heaven is a wonderful way to sleep good at night. Worrying about keeping what you have so your children won’t have to work as hard as you did, is a disservice to both parents and children. What you keep can be lost by some misfortune, and neither parent or child will have any benefit from the hoarding of wealth and possessions.
We came into this world with nothing and we will die with nothing to take with us. But if one has planned for eternity while here on earth in this lifetime, then we have all the riches of God’s grace that we have been given now as well at the “exceeding riches of His grace” in the future. What has been done for Christ while here is what is going to last. There is no way to transfer that wealth into eternity to claim later and enjoy. The sin polluted work of human endeavor has no place in the kingdom of God. The only things of value that we will have when we go is what has been implanted in us by the new, divine nature. That is unseen, but lasting. The awful thirst for wealth consumes a person so they live in darkness without joy, frustration without relief, and cynicism without true friends.
There is satisfaction and pleasure in our present lot in life if we choose to apply ourselves to wisdom, and seek the Lord while He may be found. The choices we make may be to a certain extent, affected by the circumstances in which we were born, our natural abilities and educational opportunities. Social status and wealth also can enter into our contentment to a little degree, but basically the fact is that if we have God in our life, we can be happy wherever we are and in whatever our case in life is. What we have are gifts from God which we can enjoy. Such things make us “rich” with what counts, and “adds no sorrow with it.” “Gladness of heart” is real when we acknowledge God as the Giver of every “good and perfect gift.” Our delight is in our Lord, not in affluence.