EGW WritingsEcclesiastes 5

Conflict and Courage

A Late Awakening, July 9

CC 196.1

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11.

CC 196.2

By his own bitter experience, Solomon learned the emptiness of a life that seeks in earthly things its highest good. He erected altars to heathen gods, only to learn how vain is their promise of rest to the spirit. Gloomy and soul-harassing thoughts troubled him night and day. For him there was no longer any joy of life or peace of mind, and the future was dark with despair.

CC 196.3

Yet the Lord forsook him not. By messages of reproof and by severe judgments, He sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of his course.... At last the Lord, through a prophet, delivered to Solomon the startling message: ... “I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.”

CC 196.4

Awakened as from a dream by this sentence of judgment pronounced against him and his house, Solomon with quickened conscience began to see his folly in its true light. Chastened in spirit, with mind and body enfeebled, he turned wearied and thirsting from earth’s broken cisterns, to drink once more at the fountain of life.... He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin; he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing; but he would endeavor earnestly to dissuade others from following after folly....

CC 196.5

The true penitent does not put his past sins from his remembrance. He does not, as soon as he has obtained peace, grow unconcerned in regard to the mistakes he has made. He thinks of those who have been led into evil by his course, and tries in every possible way to lead them back into the true path. The clearer the light that he has entered into, the stronger is his desire to set the feet of others in the right way.22Prophets and Kings, 76-78.

Counsels on Stewardship

Chapter 61—A Contract With God

CS 316.2

“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Ecclesiastes 5:6.

CS 317.3

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.—Testimonies for the Church 4:470-472.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4

Chapter 41—Sacredness of Vows

4T 471.1

“And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:1, 2. “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Ecclesiastes 5:6. “I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13, 14. “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.” Proverbs 20:25. “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:21-23.

4T 472.1

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

Sacredness of Pledges

1TT 550.2

“And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:1, 2. “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Ecclesiastes 5:6. “I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13, 14. “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.” Proverbs 20:25. “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:21-23.

1TT 551.2

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.

Testimony for the Church — No. 29

Sacredness of Vows.

T29 121.1

“Then Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:1, 2. “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?” Ecclesiastes 5:6. “I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13, 14. “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.” Proverbs 20:25. “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a free-will offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:21-23.

T29 122.2

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest. Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.

Education

Honest Business Dealings

Ed 144.2

“If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice, ... marvel not at the matter: for He that is higher than the highest regardeth.” “There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.” Ecclesiastes 5:8; Job 34:22.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 4—Results of Transgression

PK 68.2

Thus it was that the temple of Jehovah came to be known throughout the nations as “Solomon’s temple.” The human agent had taken to himself the glory that belonged to the One “higher than the highest.” Ecclesiastes 5:8. Even to this day the temple of which Solomon declared, “This house which I have built is called by Thy name” (2 Chronicles 6:33), is oftenest spoken of, not as the temple of Jehovah, but as “Solomon’s temple.”

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 5—Solomon’s Repentance

PK 78.1

In gratitude Solomon acknowledged the power and the loving-kindness of the One who is “higher than the highest” (Ecclesiastes 5:8); in penitence he began to retrace his steps toward the exalted plane of purity and holiness from whence he had fallen so far. He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin, he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing, but he would endeavor earnestly to dissuade others from following after folly. He would humbly confess the error of his ways and lift his voice in warning lest others be lost irretrievably because of the influences for evil he had been setting in operation.

From Splendor to Shadow

Visit of the Queen of Sheba

SS 36.3

Thus the temple of Jehovah came to be known throughout the nations as “Solomon’s temple.” The human agent had taken to himself the glory that belonged to the One “higher than the highest.” Ecclesiastes 5:8. Even to this day the temple of which Solomon declared, “This house which I have built is called by Thy name” (2 Chronicles 6:33) is spoken of as “Solomon’s temple.”

Education

Chapter 24—Manual Training

Ed 219.1

As a relaxation from study, occupations pursued in the open air, and affording exercise for the whole body, are the most beneficial. No line of manual training is of more value than agriculture. A greater effort should be made to create and to encourage an interest in agricultural pursuits. Let the teacher call attention to what the Bible says about agriculture: that it was God’s plan for man to till the earth; that the first man, the ruler of the whole world, was given a garden to cultivate; and that many of the world’s greatest men, its real nobility, have been tillers of the soil. Show the opportunities in such a life. The wise man says, “The king himself is served by the field.” Ecclesiastes 5:9. Of him who cultivates the soil the Bible declares, “His God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.” Isaiah 28:26. And again, “Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 27:18. He who earns his livelihood by agriculture escapes many temptations and enjoys unnumbered privileges and blessings denied to those whose work lies in the great cities. And in these days of mammoth trusts and business competition, there are few who enjoy so real an independence and so great certainty of fair return for their labor as does the tiller of the soil.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 15 [Nos. 1136-1185]

MR No. 1150—Speculation in Lands and Mines

15MR 70.3

Man proposes, but in order to save him from utter ruin, God disposes. God protests against the greed of the natural heart for gold. Whenever His way is departed from and His will violated, by nations, churches, institutions, or individuals, it is recorded in the books of heaven, and retribution will surely follow. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase” [Ecclesiastes 5:10]. He who says to gold, “Thou art my confidence” [Job 31:24], will find himself “pierced through with many sorrows” [1 Timothy 6:10]. God would have His people keep themselves from all speculations.—Manuscript 26, Diary entry, January 7, 1890.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 15 [Nos. 1136-1185]

A Warning Against Financial Speculation

15MR 74.2

The Ruler of the universe has protested against the greed of the natural heart, saying, “He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” [Proverbs 28:20]. God records them as guilty of fraud and transgression. “Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” [1 Timothy 6:17]. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure” [Leviticus 19:35]. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” [Proverbs 22:4]. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” [Hebrews 12:5]. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, not he that loveth abundance with increase” [Ecclesiastes 5:10]. He who says to gold, “Thou art my confidence” [Job 31:24], shall find himself “pierced through with many sorrows” [1 Timothy 6:10]. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” [Mark 8:36].

Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

MR No. 1418—The Danger of Prosperity; Talents To Be Used for God; An Appeal for New Commitment to Christ

19MR 391.2

Whenever the will of God is violated by nations or by individuals, a day of retribution comes, as surely as rivers that burst their banks carry devastation before them. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase” [Ecclesiastes 5:10]. God has spoken. Will you hear His voice? “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” [Daniel 12:3].

The Ministry of Healing

Chapter 14—Ministry to the Rich

MH 210.1

Much is said concerning our duty to the neglected poor; should not some attention be given to the neglected rich? Many look upon this class as hopeless, and they do little to open the eyes of those, who, blinded and dazed by the glitter of earthly glory, have lost eternity out of their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy men have gone to their graves unwarned. But indifferent as they may appear, many among the rich are soul-burdened. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” He that says to fine gold, “Thou art my confidence,” has “denied the God that is above.” “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever).” Ecclesiastes 5:10; Job 31:24, 28; Psalm 49:7, 8.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 26, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 26, 1890, par. 9

Man proposes, but in order to save him from utter ruin, God disposes. God protests against the greed of the natural heart for gold. Whenever His way is departed from and His will violated, by nations, churches, institutions, or individuals, it is recorded in the books of heaven, and retribution will surely follow. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.] He who says to gold, “Be thou my confidence,” will find himself “pierced through with many sorrows.” [Job 31:24; 1 Timothy 6:10.] God would have His people keep themselves from all speculations.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 26a, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 26a, 1890, par. 9

The Ruler of the universe has protested against the greed of the natural heart, saying, “He that hasteth to be rich shall not be innocent.” [Proverbs 28:20.] God records them as guilty of fraud and transgression. “Trust not in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” [1 Timothy 6:17.] “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.” [Leviticus 19:35.] “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” [Proverbs 22:4.] “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” [Hebrews 13:5.] “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.] He who says to gold, “Be thou my confidence,” shall find himself “pierced through with many sorrows.” [Job 31:24; 1 Timothy 6:10.] “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.” [Mark 8:36.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 62, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 62, 1894, par. 17

To practice the principles of love which Christ taught by precept and example will make the experience of every one who follows Him like the experience of Christ. Such souls will labor in Christ’s lines, seeking to uplift and bless their fellow men. If we desire healthfulness of soul, a sunshiny experience, we must put into practice the rules given us in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. When those who are connected with the sacred work of God in all our institutions shall open the door of their hearts, Jesus will come in. For a long time He has been knocking for an entrance. When He is permitted to enter, the sunshine of His righteousness will pervade the soul; but “he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 108, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 108, 1896, par. 20

Whenever the will of God is violated by nations or by individuals, a day of retribution comes, as surely as rivers that burst their banks carry devastation before them. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.] God has spoken. Will you hear His voice? “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” [Daniel 12:3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 249a, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 249a, 1904, par. 20

God has said, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.]

My Life Today

Temperate in Labor, May 18

ML 142.1

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Ecclesiastes 5:18.

Homeward Bound

Family Recreation, September 26

HB 295.1

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.—Ecclesiastes 5:18.

Radiant Religion

Be Happy in Useful Labor, March 16

RRe 77.1

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Ecclesiastes 5:18.

Radiant Religion

Labor Is a Blessing to Man, March 17

RRe 78.1

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19.