Ecclesiastes 5:1-20
5:1 Act with care and thought going into the future (the actual definition of prudent) as we walk toward the house of God. As we near Him, we should do so as students receptive to His word. We cannot approach God with the stubborn refusal to learn. Our journey with God is instructional and requires our conscientiousness.
5:2 We only cause harm and chaos when we speak rashly and act hastily. We need to observe and practice patience in order to learn wise behavior. Especially in conversation with God, what we have to say is much less important than what we can learn. We have so much to learn from Him, we should be eager to hear His wisdom and to experience His will.
5:3 It is fruitful to work hard as hard work results in dreams realized. But the empty chatter of a foolish person does not produce or procure anything useful.
5:4-5 When you make a promise to God, endeavor to fulfill that promise the moment it is made. Do not make a promise you do not intent to commit to. If you do not plan to follow-through against any odds, do not make the vow.
5:6 Be careful not to speak unjustly, unkindly, or untruthfully; your words can cause harm and you must be accountable for them. We cannot gain God's support or assistance when with our words we build harmful things.
5:7 Do not get lost in multitudes of dreams and words, ultimately a fulfilling purpose and blessed life comes from reverence of God.
5:8 If you witness an injustice or oppression do not merely marvel, act. We have a responsibility while on earth to love others and to be vigilant for evil. To confront it and dismantle it in order to ensure righteousness reigns. God watches humanity and notices when there is neglect.
5:9 The earth produces to support all of humanity; therefore it is an injustice to deny any person their natural rights to be sustained by the planet.
5:10 Greed cannot be satisfied. It never achieves happiness. It always wants more.
5:11 Material wealth does not profit its owner.
5:12 A hard-working person is able to sleep soundly with contentment... but a corrupt and overly-rich person has a guilty conscious. We are supposed to share our blessings, especially if to ensure that our fellow humans have food and water and basic necessities.
5:13-15 Extravagant wealth corruptly gained drains away or is lost or taken. It does not transfer productively to posterity.
5:16-17 We exit life of earth with nothing but our soul. To live a fruitless lifestyle, acquiring and never sharing or developing relationships, is to labor for the wind. To gain nothing of substance. A selfish lifestyle is dark and sorrowful and sick and angry. Health and light come from meaningful connections and abounding blessings.
5:18-20 Solomon observed that humans should work hard and enjoy the fruits of their hard work within God's will. Humans benefit to learn that each day and its opportunity and produce is a gift from God. Joy is found in a relationship with God and gratitude toward him. God will keep you busy with the joy of your heart... and your days will be fulfilled.
