Slices
Prepare
Spend a few moments asking the Lord to help you to listen to him today.
Bible passage
Fulfil your vow to God
5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
3 A dream comes when there are many cares,
and many words mark the speech of a fool.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfil it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfil your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfil it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ‘My vow was a mistake.’ Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.
Riches are meaningless
8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
10 Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?
12 The sleep of a labourer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.
13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:
wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
14 or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
there is nothing left for them to inherit.
15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
that they can carry in their hands.
16 This too is a grievous evil:
as everyone comes, so they depart,
and what do they gain,
since they toil for the wind?
17 All their days they eat in darkness,
with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them – for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Explore
In verses 1 to 7, the teacher addresses worshipping the Lord, rather than wealth and possessions. Worship involves treading on holy ground, and a desire to listen to the Lord. Fools (v 1) make offerings to the Lord, but with no real desire to engage with him. What other characteristics of worship do you see in these verses? Fearing God (v 7), in the sense of standing before him in silent awe and adoration, is key to worship.
Verses 8 to 17 return to the gathering of wealth at the expense of others as being meaningless. The teacher speaks about systemic, nationwide corruption in verses 8 and 9. Take a look at news headlines around you today. How might this passage prompt you to pray? Although written many years ago, these verses feel remarkably fresh and relevant for our world. Identify ways in which verses 8 to 17 speak into your context today.
Verses 18 to 20 provide the answer to the meaninglessness of verses 8 to 17. The teacher returns to the idea of work, pleasure and wealth being gifts from God. Verse 20 is particularly striking. Whereas those who seek wealth above all else end their days in darkness and frustration (v 17), those who see their work and wealth as gifts from God are too busy being contented and joyful to reflect on the meaning of life (v 20).
Respond
Pray for your government, that politicians may put the needs of others before their own wealth and glory.
Deeper Bible study
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.’1
The first half of chapter 5 reminds us that our God is the Creator of the universe. Our innate response to this almighty God should be awe and reverence, something which the Old Testament calls ‘fear’ (v 7). It is this aspect of God that makes it even more amazing that Christ lays down his glory to enable the restoration of a personal relationship with each one of us. God in Christ becomes both immanent and personal, at the same time as being awesome and powerful. The Teacher challenges us not to forget that God is more than simply our friend or our buddy. He argues that, in reverence, we should consider carefully the words we bring in prayer (vs 1–3) and we should take care that those things we promise we will do (vs 4–6). Put simply, take seriously your times with God. Use them wisely and intentionally rather than without thought or purpose.
The second half of the chapter is a critique of the value of riches and wealth. Through a series of discussions, the Teacher endorses the biblical message that having wealth does not equate to contentment. The Teacher identifies that wealth seems to cause anxiety to the rich because it creates a desire for more riches. Ultimately, they are frustrated that, as we come into the world with no possessions, so we shall leave it. We gain nothing for all the money we make during our lives. Therefore, in verse 18, the challenge is not to gain wealth to bring security, but to find contentment in the mundane, in eating, drinking and working. This echoes Paul’s conclusions to the Philippians, that contentment can be found when in need or in plenty, through the strength that God gives.2
Consider your financial challenges. Are you praying for God’s provision? Are you thankful for what you have been given? Ask God to bless you with generosity and contentment regarding money.
1 Isa 6:1 2 Phil 4:12,13
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 25,26; John 10
Pray for Scripture Union
Mission Enabler Janine Parkinson asks us to pray for the central region Faith Guide holiday (November 1–3). Pray that as Faith Guides bring their unchurched young people along to experience a fun and faithfilled weekend, the young people will discover Jesus for themselves.
