Ecclesiastes 5-6

Chapter 5: God is in Heaven, We are below

In this chapter we learn that we should be open with God. We should be ready to listen and not be so hasty to dictate what we want him to do.

“Be not rash with thy mouth… hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Solomon believed that it was not wise to make a vow to God and not keep it. It’s better to not make a vow than to make one to God and not keep it.

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)

Solomon says that riches are meaningless. People who obsess over it never find the true happiness that it promises. Loving money leads to sin. Don’t depend on money to make you happy. Instead, use what you have for the Lord.

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver…” (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Chapter 6: Need to be Full of Works

Even though a person has lived a long and prosperous life, it is ultimately meaningless. He says this because everything that a person has accumulated is left behind at death. Many people strive to prolong life and keep in good physical health, but people don’t spend nearly enough time improving their spiritual health. Solomon also believes that human beings cannot take charge of their own destiny.