[Anglican Devotional 29 October 2022] Topic: Moderation: A Key To Good Living
TOPIC — Moderation: A Key To Good Living
READ: Ecclesiastes 5 (NKJV)
Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God [is] in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice [is known] by [his] many words.
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For [He has] no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed —
Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger [of God] that it [was] an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?
For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there is] also vanity. But fear God.
If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
Moreover the profit of the land is for all; [even] the king is served from the field.
He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also [is] vanity.
When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see [them] with their eyes?
The sleep of a laboring man [is] sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
There is a severe evil [which] I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.
But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, [there is] nothing in his hand.
As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.
And this also [is] a severe evil — Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?
All his days he also eats in darkness, And [he has] much sorrow and sickness and anger.
Here is what I have seen: [It is] good and fitting [for one] to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it [is] his heritage.
As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor — this [is] the gift of God.
For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps [him] busy with the joy of his heart.
Also Read: Open Heaven 29 October 2022 – No Love Without Discipline
THE MESSAGE:
Solomon continued in his words of wisdom to address human relationship with God and fellow humans. First, he addressed his readers on how to relate with God while in His presence. It is expected of every one to fear and reverence God in their acts of worship. One should guard his/her steps when approaching God, draw near to listen to Him, avoid the sacrifices of fools, avoid uttering rash and hasty words, and pay whatever he/she vows to Him (verses 1-7). Second, verses 8-20 summaries the vanity of much possessions. From life’s experiences, Solomon viewed amassing of wealth as dangerous to livelihood (verses 10 & 13). The summary of Solomon’s teaching in this passage is for people to be contented and this can only be achieved through living a moderate life.
Christians that must live good need the key of moderation; we should live moderately in every aspect of our lives. In the presence of God and before fellow humans, we should be careful of our manner of approach. We should learn how to be concise with our words. We must bear in mind that whatever possession we have is by the grace of God, thus, it is the ‘gift of God’ (verse 19).
PRAYER: O God, give me the grace to be contented and live moderately for Your glory in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
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