Verses 1-7 – Main Point: Out of godly fear, listen, obey, and use fewer words in prayer. Don’t make vows. Just let your yes be yes and your no, no (Matthew 5:33-37).
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Solomon now speaks to the meaninglessness that can pervade even into a person’s relationship with God. In our relationship with God, what really matters is listening to what the Word and the Spirit have to say, and obeying.
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We are only acting like fools, and ultimately wasting any opportunity to draw near to God, if all we do is extensively sing and pray, as though such things were a sacrifice sufficient enough to cover for a life lived in ignorance and disobedience. Basically, it’s a waste of time to pray if you have no intention to truly listen to the Word and obey it (Proverbs 28:9).
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In fact, such prayers are often words that cause the flesh to sin. How so? In songs and prayers we often find ourselves making promises to serve God, only to fail to do so in every-day practice. So the more you speak, the more accountable you become for your actions, and thus, the more judgment you will receive for the words that were empty (Matthew 12:36-37).
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Long prayers (or many words in prayer) are often foolish (Matthew 23:14). When you pray, make your prayers fewer words, but precise, intentional, and from the heart. That’s meaningful prayer. Then take time to read the Word with the intent to obey it. Also take moments to practice sitting still and listening to the Spirit in quietness. These exercises please God.
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But just as you know many dreams come from much activity, you can know that long, pious prayers come from fools. Remember that “God is in heaven”, all-powerful and knowing all things. He is not moved by vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7). So “let your words be few.”
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Verse 8
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Don’t allow corruption or injustice in government cause you any anxiety or frustration, nor let it distract you from your faith. When you see powerful people abusing their power, remember that they are all ultimately under the rule of the Most High God and the name above every other name. God is in control. Trust Him, since He will bring final justice in the end (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17).
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Listen to this passage: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Verses 9-17
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All people depend on the produce of the earth, which God gives. This is meant to humble us all. For no matter our wealth or power, we have nothing without the fields of the earth.
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So, be thankful for what God provides from the earth, and work diligently for your gain with a thankful heart. Then your sleep will be better, and even your recreation will be far sweeter.
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In fact, the more hardworking and thankful that you are in your labor, the more joy you will have in the times you have leftover for recreational activities. And you will be able to have joy even if you have little.
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But if you love money, and especially spending it wastefully, you will be dissatisfied and restless because you won’t be able to be content. And the more you gain, the more expensive your spending will become. Having more money won’t solve the problem of the heart—which is covetousness and greed (1 Timothy 6:9-10), both of which lead to sorrow, sickness, and anger (verse 17).
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Instead of coveting, be thankful for what you have, and use your money wisely.
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Verses 18-20
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To avoid the sorrow that comes from the vanity of the world, and prevent yourself from regretting the past, stay joyful and thankful for the work, wealth, and health that God has given you to enjoy, whether great or small.
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Don’t despise health or wealth; they are good gifts from God. Let’s not forget that wealth is not bad. Though the love of money is to be hated, do not hate money, or you will miss out on the joy in this life that God can bring you through it.
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