Ecclesiastes 5 “A Day Received as a Gift”

Ecclesiastes 5 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs: 

• Hillsong – I Surrender
• All I Have Is Christ (feat. Paul Baloche)
• Blessed Assurance | Reawaken Hymns | Official Lyric Video

Resources for Family Worship (with Children)

• Learning Self Control (Fruit of the Spirit) – 5 Minute Family Devotional | Minno Kids Bible Stories – Lesson for Kids
• Understand How the Holy Spirit Works in the Bible by Bibleproject – Lesson for Older Kids
• Thanks God | Scuba VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Count Your Blessings | Scuba VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• No, Not One | Shipwrecked VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The Teacher offers counsel concerning religious life. What matters more than sacrifice is a righteous life. Therefore, listening to God’s word is more important than offering sacrifices (v. 1). The statement, “God is in heaven and you are on earth” (v. 2), reminds us how great the distance is between God the Creator and human beings, the created. Remembering this keeps us from indulging in empty imaginations and from opening our mouths carelessly to pour out foolish words (vv. 3, 7). In particular, one must be cautious about making vows before God. If a vow is made, it must be kept no matter what. If one is not confident of keeping it, it is better not to make a vow at all (vv. 4–6).

The Teacher then turns his eyes to the real world and reflects on the injustice practiced by those in power. When we see rulers trampling on law and justice, we are often shocked as if it were something unusual, but such behavior is inherent to power itself. Because of the sinful nature of humanity, corruption and injustice are always present. Therefore, when we witness such things, we should remain calm, strive to reduce injustice and corruption, and remember the “One higher still” who will judge unjust rulers. He will set everything right (v. 8). Verse 9 is very difficult to translate. The Revised Version translates it as, “The produce of the land is for all; even the king is served by the field.” It seems to call for righteous governance by those in power.

Next comes teaching about wealth. If becoming rich is one’s goal, that person will never be satisfied (v. 10). Literally, it says, “Whoever loves money never has enough.” Having more money does not mean one can eat ten or twenty meals a day. The reason that money beyond a certain point becomes “only a feast for the eyes” (v. 11) is that it cannot be used endlessly to produce greater satisfaction. Moreover, as wealth increases, so do worries, making it impossible to live at ease (vv. 12–13). When such a person encounters disaster and loses everything, the resulting despair is severe (v. 14). In truth, everyone is born with nothing and returns with nothing, but those who possess much tend to forget this fact (v. 15). When they forget it, they struggle frantically to gain more, and when they lose what they have, they waste their lives in resentment and anger (vv. 16–17).

The Teacher concludes that the greatest happiness is to carry out one day’s labor and enjoy one day’s joy during the time God allows. To “eat, drink, and find enjoyment” (v. 18) does not mean to indulge in pleasure, but to accept and enjoy the present. Rather than burdening ourselves with grand ambitions, we are to be content with the portion God has given us and receive everything each day as a gift (vv. 19–20).

Meditation:

When the gap between things feels almost impossible to bridge, people often say, “They’re in a different class.” The first-class section of an airplane has a different entrance, different space, and different service from economy class. God is not only different from humans in “class,” but in an entirely different dimension. He is almighty, while we are limited. He is eternal, while we are momentary. He is all-knowing, while we are ignorant. He is greater than the whole universe, while we are like dust within it. That is why the Teacher declares, “God is in heaven, and you are on earth” (v. 2). Here, “heaven” refers to God’s dimension. It means that God the Creator and human beings, the created, exist on completely different planes.

To worship means to stand before such a God. Not only during times of worship, but at all times and in all places, we live in His presence. Therefore, we should not indulge every thought that comes to mind, nor should we carelessly speak whatever words come out. We live before the Creator who examines everything, sets things right, and judges. That is why the Apostle Paul says, “We live from God, before God, in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17, literal translation). A person who lives this way will not be enslaved by power or wealth, even if they become powerful or rich, but will live a holy and righteous life.

This is the conclusion the Teacher presents in verses 18–20. We are not rushing out thinking we can change the world with our knowledge, power, or money. Such people often only make the world more chaotic. Trusting that God rules and leads, each of us should give thanks for what is given each day in the place entrusted to us and act according to the will of the One who gives. When we live like that today, tomorrow will be given, and in the end, our final tomorrow will lead us into God’s embrace.

Prayer:

When we come to understand it, Lord, You are calling us to live like mayflies—not mayflies with no tomorrow, but those who entrust tomorrow to You and receive each day as a gift, filling it with gratitude. You tell us not to be consumed with great ambitions, but to be faithful to Your will given to us today. Lord, we will live this way today as well. Please guide us. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God is much bigger than us, but He is close to us every day. Because we live before God, we learn to listen carefully, speak thoughtfully, and receive each day as a gift from Him with gratitude.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • God is in heaven, and we are on earth. What is one thing that shows how big or amazing God is?
  • God sees and cares about us all the time. How does it feel to know God is always with you?
  • Today is a gift from God. What is one small thing you can thank God for today?
    
• Youth:
  • The devotion says God is not just bigger than us, but in a different “dimension.” How does this change the way you think about God listening to your prayers?
  • We live before God even when no one else sees us. Is it harder to control your words or your thoughts? Why?
  • Instead of worrying about tomorrow, God invites us to live faithfully today. What is one pressure you can place in God’s hands this week?