The Teacher reflects that it is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer listens to warnings. A youth may rise from prison or poverty to become a king, and for a time, people may follow him. Yet, even a popular successor will eventually fall out of favour. This, too, is meaningless — a pursuit as futile as chasing the wind. The Teacher, perhaps alluding to the reigns of King Saul and King David, contrasts the wisdom of a humble youth with the folly of a ruler who refuses to heed advice.
Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. – Ecclesiastes 4:13 (NIV)
David, who rose from poverty to become a king, was initially followed by many in Judah. However, over time, dissent grew among his followers as people observed his governance. Despite his father’s legacy, David’s son, Solomon, who was granted great wisdom, ultimately became one of Israel’s most foolish kings by ignoring the lessons of his predecessors and failing to heed warnings. This highlights that wisdom is not merely about knowledge or status but about the willingness to learn and grow, regardless of one’s position or age.
Guard your steps
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. – Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NIV)
To guard our steps when we go to the house of God means to approach Him with a heart filled with reverence and humility. We should listen more and speak less, avoiding the “sacrifice of fools,” who act without understanding or sincerity. This is sound advice, as we see in the example of Saul, who offered sacrifices without understanding their true purpose or to whom they were directed.
Many people attend church not to genuinely learn or connect with God but to fulfil what they see as religious duties: attending services, taking children to Sunday school, giving tithes, volunteering for fundraisers, and then going home, satisfied that they have done what is required without truly listening to God. They make grand commitments, only to retract them later when faced with reality.
Fulfilling our Vows
Does God despise these last-minute changes of heart as hotels or travel agencies might resent cancellations? People often believe that God is dependent on our offerings and will be displeased if we fail to follow through. They imagine Him like a bank that penalises us for breaking a fixed deposit early, assuming He makes investment plans based on our tithes and offerings. However, God, as the Creator of the world, needs nothing from us. Instead, He grants us the privilege of using our resources to help those less fortunate, positioning us to do good and learn humility and compassion. Our offerings do not sustain Him; they are meant to teach us to serve others in love.
…many words mark the speech of a fool. – Ecclesiastes 5:3 (NIV)
Does this suggest that only fools pray with many words? Worries and lengthy prayers filled with many words hold little significance. What truly matters is approaching God with an attitude of reverence and a heart of repentance. Long-winded prayers can even hinder others from seeking God themselves. When your message is clear and meaningful, it can be communicated confidently with just a few words. In contrast, when you lack a true understanding or answer, you tend to speak in circles, confusing your audience.
Injustice at Every Level
If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. -Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 (NIV)
Corruption often follows any form of power and authority. Even today, in many countries, registering land, or property, or conducting any government-related activity often requires bribing officials at every level, all the way up to politicians.
Even in our churches, leaders and administrators sometimes misuse their positions. A quick Google search for negative church reviews reveals complaints of corruption, such as offerings and donations being diverted for personal gain or church grounds being rented out for marriage functions at exorbitant rates.
If people can become corrupt with even a little power, why should we be surprised by it? Every green-eyed politician begins with a heart set on changing a corrupt system, but after spending some time within it, they realise that nothing moves forward unless they “grease the wheels.”
Love for Money
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV)
Can we ever be truly satisfied with our income and wealth while we are on this earth? No matter how comfortable our lives may be, concerns about the future and maintaining our lifestyle often linger in our minds.
In contrast, we find that spiritual growth can bring a sense of satisfaction more easily. Although achieving contentment may seem difficult or even impossible, it is a gradual process. As we grow closer to God, we begin to trust Him more fully.
Humans typically need time to build trust in relationships, relying on evidence before placing their confidence in others. Shouldn’t we also allow God the opportunity to demonstrate His presence by spending time with Him and getting to know Him? If building trust in tangible human relationships takes time, why do we so easily give up on trusting God?
As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? – Ecclesiastes 5:11 (NIV)
Supply truly creates demand. People often desire products that are popular or widely owned rather than those that simply meet their own needs. For example, many people prefer to buy a car that everyone else seems to have, rather than choosing a model based on their personal preferences.
Social media amplifies this effect; when people see others dining out at trendy restaurants on Instagram, they often feel compelled to visit the same places. Similarly, travel destinations that appear frequently on social media become highly sought after.
The most effective advertisements are not those featuring celebrities but those where we see friends and family using a product. This phenomenon drives us to keep purchasing the latest phones, gaming consoles, or cars. After buying a house, the desire for an upgrade often follows almost immediately, reflecting how supply influences our perceptions of need and desire.
True Peace
The sleep of a labourer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. – Ecclesiastes 5:12 (NIV)
Do wealthy individuals experience a lack of peace? If they rely on God, they can find true rest. According to Psalms, sleep is a blessing from God, yet the wealthy often find themselves needing to “buy” sleep through sleep therapy mattresses, medications, and other aids.
The rich often face difficulty sleeping due to their constant anxiety over protecting and growing their fortunes. They are keenly aware that their wealth will not follow them beyond this life. Possessions can become a burden, dominating our lives, unless we adopt the mindset that we are simply passing through this life and that God will provide whatever we need to accomplish His will in our lives.
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners – Ecclesiastes 5:13 (NIV)
How can hoarding wealth be detrimental to us? When we become preoccupied with amassing and safeguarding our riches, it diverts our focus and energy away from more meaningful pursuits. Jesus warned us about this, saying, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”(1 Timothy 6:10). This suggests that the pursuit of wealth can lead to various negative outcomes.
Is it wrong to accumulate wealth? Accumulating wealth itself is not inherently wrong; however, it becomes problematic when it consumes our thoughts, and we start to rely on it for security, rather than trusting in God for support. The danger lies in if it is on our mind constantly, if we think we can depend on our accumulated wealth rather than solely lean on God for support.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. – Ecclesiastes 5:15 (NIV)
Do we depart this world in the same condition as when we entered it? What about all the life experiences we’ve gained, the relationships we’ve cherished, our bond with our Heavenly Father, and the lessons we’ve learned from both our virtues and our failings?
…when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
…God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead… – Ecclesiastes 5:19 – 6:2 (NIV)
The Teacher seems to suggest that God gives some people worldly possessions along with the ability to enjoy them. Yet, he also says that God sometimes grants worldly blessings while withholding the ability to enjoy those possessions. However, he is mistaken in this; if blessings are truly from God, they will surely be accompanied by genuine peace and joy.
Possessions gained through unjust means or driven by our own desires — fulfilled by the prince and rulers of this world — are not blessings from God. Nor will they bring peace and joy. These are merely distractions from satan to keep us from opening our eyes and realising that we have strayed far from the path that leads back to God.
A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. – Ecclesiastes 6:3 (NIV)
People often place too much emphasis on how we are buried—whether the correct customs were followed, whether we were cremated or buried—believing that these decisions determine our final resting place. However, the truth is that our soul departs the moment we die, and these rituals are meaningless for the soul’s ultimate destination.
People did the same with Jesus’s body, making a big fuss over the rituals needed for His burial, such as using a rich man’s tomb, spices, and other preparations. But those who focused on these rituals ignored His words; otherwise, they would have realised that He would rise just two days later.
The Teacher’s reflections remind us of the futility of chasing after worldly possessions and the dangers of placing too much importance on material wealth. True contentment and joy come not from the accumulation of riches or the meticulous observance of rituals, but from living with wisdom, humility, and a heart aligned with God’s will. Wealth and status are fleeting, and even the most secure positions can change with time.
Ultimately, our focus should be on cultivating a relationship with God, seeking wisdom, and living a life of integrity. Instead of hoarding wealth or worrying over our final resting place, we are encouraged to find peace in God’s provisions and to use our resources to help others. As we recognise the limitations of worldly pursuits, we are better positioned to experience the true peace and joy that only God can provide.
Discussion Questions
- How should we approach worship and communication with God?
- Does God need our offerings and vows?
- Why do people become corrupt when they gain power?
- Why is the love of money considered meaningless?
- Can we ever be truly satisfied with wealth?
- Is accumulating wealth wrong?
- Can worldly possessions be considered true blessings from God?
The Jordan Valley 
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