Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 5

Watch What We Say Before God

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:8

Indeed elder James had said it as a matter of fact, and it agrees with what we are reading today, our tongue can cause us to sin against God when we are not mindful what comes out of our mouth.

It is needless to say that God hates hasty words, especially hypocritical and rash promises to Him; and He would surely not be pleased with empty vows that are followed by excuses.

A true faith in God does not only consist of beautiful and words of conviction, but one has to have the fear of God, coupled with actions that manifest the faith and honesty towards God.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1John 1: 6 – 7

Do Not Be Amazed By Corruption

That which has been is what will be,

That which is done is what will be done,

And there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

There is nothing new under the sun, what men had done in the past would be seen today also, these

include the evil and violent deeds. So there is nothing to be surprised or be amazed as what the author is trying to tell us.

But this does not mean that we approve of such actions of evil men, even if they are people in high positions.

As much as we can do, as salt of the earth, we must work towards upholding justice within our ability. Cultivate the young ones to love righteousness, support those who strive for the cause of justice in the society, helping the less fortunate, etc. These are the things that most of us can do.

But then again, we must be prepared for disappointments, because we may fail.

Do Not Covet Wealth

The poor think that all problems can be solved if they have lots of money, whereas the rich have lots of money, but they have problems that money cannot solve.

Money cannot satisfy; v.10 says, “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.”

Neither can money guarantee peace, “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.” v.12

One may have all the time to sleep, but that does not necessary mean that he can sleep soundly.

So we have to be thankful to God in all things, because He not only gives gifts, He also enables us to enjoy those gifts that He has given us.

May God have mercy on us, and forgive our tendencies to be rash in our words, and our ingratitude towards the wonderful gifts that He has bestowed upon us.

Shalom

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