Ecc 5 | MHM | STEP | A Caution to Worshippers Solomon wants us to turn away from chasing the empty things of this world and instead turn to God. He encourages us to come to the house of God to worship, where we can find true wisdom and comfort. However, Solomon warns that it is important to approach worship with respect, sincerity, and careful attention, because even religious acts can be empty if our hearts are not right. v. 1 : Solomon says we should be careful how we come before God. Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil . This means we should approach worship thoughtfully and with respect. We should focus on listening to God's word and obeying it, not just going through the motions. If we are careless, our worship becomes the "sacrifice of fools," which God does not accept. It is foolish to think we are pleasing God if we do not worship with sincerity and understanding.

‏ Ecclesiastes 5

A Caution to Worshippers

Solomon wants us to turn away from chasing the empty things of this world and instead turn to God. He encourages us to come to the house of God to worship, where we can find true wisdom and comfort. However, Solomon warns that it is important to approach worship with respect, sincerity, and careful attention, because even religious acts can be empty if our hearts are not right.

v. 1: Solomon says we should be careful how we come before God. Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil . This means we should approach worship thoughtfully and with respect. We should focus on listening to God's word and obeying it, not just going through the motions. If we are careless, our worship becomes the "sacrifice of fools," which God does not accept. It is foolish to think we are pleasing God if we do not worship with sincerity and understanding.

v. 2: Solomon warns us, Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few . When we pray or speak to God, we should think carefully about what we say. God is great and holy, and we should approach Him with humility. Our words should be sincere and thoughtful, not careless or rushed.

v. 3: He explains, For a dream comes through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words . Just as too much worrying leads to confusing dreams, speaking too much without thinking leads to foolish prayers. Many words do not impress God. Instead, sincere and simple prayers are best. When we worship, we must remember that God sees our hearts, not just our words.

The Obligation of a Vow

This section teaches us to take our promises to God seriously. Solomon explains that making a vow is a serious commitment, and we should not make promises lightly or break them. He also reminds us to fear God above all, and not to be discouraged by injustice in the world, because God is always watching and will judge fairly in the end.

v. 4-5: Solomon says, When you vow a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay what you have vowed. Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 ^a). If you make a promise to God, you must keep it. Delaying or refusing to fulfill your vow is like trying to trick God, and He is not pleased with such behavior. It is better not to make a vow at all than to make one and not keep it.

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v. 6: Solomon warns, Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say before the angel, that it was an error: why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? . Do not make careless promises or try to escape your responsibility by saying it was a mistake. God knows our hearts and will not accept excuses. Breaking a vow can bring God’s displeasure and even ruin our efforts.

v. 7: He continues, For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear God . Many words and empty promises are useless. Instead, we should focus on respecting and honoring God. Fearing God means putting Him first and being careful to obey Him, rather than being distracted by superstitions or meaningless talk.

v. 8: Finally, Solomon says, If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they . When you see injustice in the world, do not be surprised or lose faith. God is above all rulers and judges, and He sees everything. Even if people in power do wrong, God will hold them accountable. We should trust in God’s justice, even when things seem unfair on earth.

The Vanity of Riches.

Solomon has already explained how things like pleasure, parties, and power are not truly satisfying. Some people agree with him about those things but believe that money is different—that being rich will make them happy. In this section, Solomon warns that chasing wealth is also empty and will not bring real happiness. He shows that both gathering and using riches can leave people unfulfilled, just like chasing after pleasures or fame.

v. 9: Solomon first admits that the earth’s produce is valuable for everyone. The profit of the earth is for all . People’s bodies, made from the earth, need food from it (Job 28:5 ^b). God kindly gives us enough from the land, even though we do not deserve it (Psalm 68:6 ^c). The earth provides for all people and animals. Even a king depends on food from the field. This makes farming one of the most important jobs since it helps everyone survive. Those who have much should remember that these gifts are meant for all, not just themselves. Luxurious things might be only for a few, but the earth’s fruit is for everyone. Even those who gain from the sea still need the land (Deuteronomy 33:19 ^d).

v. 10: Solomon then shows that collecting more wealth does not bring satisfaction. People who love money are never satisfied. He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver . Some, like Jacob and Paul, learned to be content (1 Timothy 6:6 ^e), but many always want more, like in Habakkuk 2:5 ^f and Isaiah 5:8 ^g. Our natural needs can be met, but greedy desires are endless. Even if someone has a lot, it does not satisfy their soul. Money cannot satisfy hunger, and it cannot fill spiritual needs either (Isaiah 55:2; Ezekiel 7:19 ^h).

v. 11: The more someone owns, the more people come to share it. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them . As wealth grows, so do the number of people who depend on it—family, servants, and even strangers. The owner’s only real extra benefit is seeing the wealth, not using it. The only true joy comes from sharing with others, as Jesus said: It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35 ⁱ), but greedy people do not enjoy this. Instead, they are upset when others benefit from their wealth.

v. 12: More riches bring more worries, making it harder to rest. The sleep of a laboring man is sweet . People who work hard and have little sleep better because they are tired and have fewer worries. But the rich often lose sleep because of their many cares and troubles. Jesus spoke of a rich man who worried about his crops (Luke 12:17 ^j). Sometimes guilt or greed keeps them awake. But those loved by God can sleep in peace.

v. 13: Riches can actually bring harm. Solomon saw a sore evil under the sun—riches kept for their owner’s hurt . Wealth can make people proud, selfish, and distant from God. It can tempt them to do wrong or treat others badly. Wealth also makes people targets for envy and crime. In the end, riches can even cost a person their life (Proverbs 1:19 ^k).

v. 14: The more a person has, the more they can lose. Riches perish by evil travail . People often lose their fortunes through bad decisions or stress. Someone may work hard to leave wealth for their children but lose it all before they die. Riches often disappear quickly, leaving nothing for the next generation.

v. 15-16: No matter how much we gain, we cannot take it with us when we die. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 ^l). This is also taught in Job 1:21 ^m and Psalm 49:17 ⁿ. It is a reason to be content (1 Timothy 6:7 ^o). Riches cannot help us in the next life. If we only work for wealth, it is like chasing the wind (Hosea 12:1 ^p). At death, people see that everything they worked for is gone, just like the wind.

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v. 17: Those who love riches have unhappy lives and deaths. All his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow and sickness and anger . Greedy people do not enjoy what they have. They worry when they spend money, even on basic needs. When they are sick, their wealth cannot help them, and they become angry or bitter. Instead of trusting God or finding peace, they become more troubled and unhappy, making their suffering even worse.

Grateful Enjoyment.

After talking about the emptiness of keeping riches only for ourselves, Solomon now explains a better way to live. He says we should use what we have in a good way—serving God, helping others, and enjoying it with our families. This is not about living for pleasure, but about being thankful for what God gives us and using it wisely. Solomon has taught this before (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:22 ^q). He encourages us to accept what God gives, to enjoy our work, and to live with joy instead of stress or greed. Life is a gift from God, and each day is part of his plan (Job 14:5 ^r).

v. 18: Solomon says it is good and proper to enjoy what we have. We should not deny ourselves what we need because of greed or worry. Instead, we should eat and drink what helps us stay healthy so we can serve God. We should not work ourselves to death and leave our earnings for someone else. We should enjoy what we earn, every day that God gives us. Our work should not feel like slavery, but something we do gladly. We should take pleasure in our jobs, just as Zebulun in his going out and Issachar in his tents (Deuteronomy 33:18 ^s).

v. 19: Not only is it good to enjoy our blessings, but this is also our portion from God. It is good and comely . When we use what God gives us with thankfulness, we honor him. This is all the good we can get from earthly things—it is our share. God has his part, the poor have theirs, and our families have theirs, but this is our portion. Also, if God gives someone riches and the ability to enjoy them, this is a special gift. It is even better than wealth itself to have the wisdom and grace to enjoy and use it rightly. We should ask God for this gift—to enjoy and do good with what we have.

v. 20: Living this way makes life easier and helps us forget the hard times. He shall not much remember the days of his life (Ecclesiastes 5:20 ^t). When we find joy in what God gives, we do not focus much on our troubles; they pass by like water. God fills our hearts with joy, which is better than getting everything we want. A cheerful heart makes work easier and helps us get through difficulties. God gives us joy as a reward for using our blessings well.