If you've ever traveled in London you'll hear the phrase, "Mind the Gap." The gap is the space between the platform and the underground train. The friendly lady will call out her warning as the train doors open. We watch our step so we don't trip over the gap. In Ecclesiastes 5, we can consider this as Solomon's warning to watch our steps so that we don't trip over the gaps in our lives. There are five points in chapter five that I'd like to highlight this week.
Point One: Mind Your Place In Church
Ecclesiastes 5:1 tells us to "Guard our steps when you go to the house of God." Going to church and being in the house of God is a holy activity in our lives. The Spirit of God and His words move throughout the church body to bring repentance, conviction, and encouragement. Yet, it is curious that we do not treat the entire service as a holy activity. This is often demonstrated by our tardiness which brings distraction. We run in during the third song, trying to make our way to our seats. Often times not considering what a distraction we may be to other deep in worship. In Leviticus 10:1, we see how serious God is about his house. Aaron's sons were drunk trying to make a sacrifice and were struck dead. It was such an offense God had to make a distinction between what is holy and what isn't. We are to prepare to be in the house of God.
Study Questions:
How do you prepare you heart to be in church?
Point Two: Mind Your Prayers
In Ecceclesiastes 5:2 Solomon reminds us that what we say before God counts. As we approach God in our prayer life, what is the attitude that we have? In our family we are guilty of not having the appropriate attitude before God. I can tell you when this happens at our house. After a long day, we are trying to get the kids to bed which part of the routine calls for bed time prayers. My oldest son is the last to go to bed. Often times, we rush through our bed time prayers so we can get just get him to bed. Sadly, this happens more often then I'm happy to admit. To make it doubly worse, we aren't showing my son the appropriate attitude in which he should approach God. Thanks be to God for his grace! The bible tells us that God knows our thoughts long before we think them. So I can't think he is ever blessed by this attitude. Thankfully, the bible gives us good examples of what not to do and what to do. Matthew 6:5 tells of people who pray to be seen by men. They receive their reward, the recoginition by those men. That's it. In verse 6, the Jesus encourages us to go to a secret place to be heard by God. In verse 8, we see that God knows what we ask before we ask him. Before we pray, let us think about what we are going to pray, let us think about the attitude we approach God, and let us remember that he is holy.
Study Question:
What is your prayer life like and what specific steps are you willing to make to improve it?
Point Three: Mind Your Promises
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 Solomon warns about making promises before God. What do we know about God's promises? For me, the promise of heaven is the foundation for how I live my life. What if one day he decided to change his mind 10 minutes before I reached heaven. I can't imagine! There is a reason I can't imagine, I've come to know God is someone who keeps his word. It is apart of his reputation. So if God keeps his word, is it really important that I keep mine? Yes! 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:20 tell us we are God's representation here on earth. His ambassador's. When we don't keep our promises, God's reputation is at stake. When you say you are going to show up for a commitment and don't, you are hurting the effectiveness of your witness for Christ.
Discuss with the group your favorite promise from God.
Point Four: Mind Your Priorities
Balance is an art. In Ecc 5:8-16, Solomon warns us about excess. Every one has desires. For these desires, there is a level of satisfaction where anything beyond that is excessive. While the level of satisfaction is different for everyone, we are all the same because we have desires. It can be illustrated this way, a feast verses a perfectly proportioned meal. While there is no limit to a feast, there is a point where if you consume one more bite you will be sick. In a perfectly portioned meal you have a bit of everything, all perfectly balanced. There is still joy in this meal, and one is fully satisfied. J.D. Rockefeller built Standard Oil into a conglomerate. He was the world's first billionaire. He was worth $310 billion in today's terms. He tithed from his first paycheck to the last. There was a point where he became a bit eccentric and went through a weird time with his health mid-way through his life. Around the same time his financial advisor told him he needed to begin to give away massive amounts of money since he had accumulated so much. It would be interesting to argue that hoarding all he had was the reason for his health and mental issues. He followed his advisor. He became a conduit of blessing to many people. He went on to live to the age of 99. We spend a large portion of our lives accumulating money to live, spend, enjoy. We cannot get caught up in the time it takes to gain money or spending it when we get it. We must remember we came with nothing and we will leave with nothing. We must be more balanced.Discuss with the group how you approach balance in your own life.
Point 5: Mind Your Place
To find our passion in life is truly a blessing from God. In verse 5:18, Solomon reminds us of this. In Chariots of Fire, the main character was contemplating his next step in life. His choices were going in to missions or becoming an olympian. In this decision he said, "All I know is God made me fast and when I run I feel his pleasure." I find this so amazing. We all have specific gifts and talents that the Lord made us with(Revelation 4:11, Psalm 147:10-11). I can't imagine how much joy God has when we find a place to use our gifts and talents. I know when I use my own gifts and talents I am completely at peace. He give us all a Divine Non-Negotiable Agenda.
Study question:
1. Do you know what your gifts and talents are?
2. If so, what is one activity you do that utilize them.
3. If not, would you pray this week asking God to show them to you?
