Ecclesiastes 5 –
If you cannot tell I am in Ecclesiastes for a while … Ecclesiastes begins with “Everything is meaningless” … so it’s been an interesting book. My first read just looked at how everything is meaningless … now I see it in a different light.
Ecclesiastes 5:1&2:
<1> As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. <2> Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
Bo Diddly said something similar “Don’t write a check your tail can’t cash”, meaning don’t make promises you can’t keep! This can apply to making promises to others or to God. Many times we find ourselves doing this in long babblings with God. The phrase “if you do this, they I will …” is common in prayers.
We look into Matthew 6:7 for something similar “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.”
Basically don’t talk just to be heard … may your words be few, but with meaning. The key is not always talking, but listening. Devon and Katy got a “slap up side the head” this weekend in church … balloons and cell phones talked to them. Many times we will not get that slap, but just be a subtle message. Don’t miss that!!
I got a talking to this morning with Ecclesiastes 5:10:
“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!”
Granted my desire for money is to get out of debt, the question is if I am out of debt will i then want more and keep driving for more??
and Ecclesiastes 5:18:
“Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.”
or as the dwarfs say … “whistle while you work”