Reverence and Humility

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
July 26, 2026
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes

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.

God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

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.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them.

And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.

This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?

All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, 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.

Here’s the sermon in one sentence: True worship begins with reverence for God and leads to a life of contentment in His gifts.

Our Key verse is: “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong." (Ecclesiastes 5:1, CSB)

Introduction

Many people think worship is about music, traditions, or attending church. Solomon reminds us that worship is much deeper. Worship is about meeting with the holy God.

Ecclesiastes has been showing us the emptiness of life when God is left out. In chapter 5, Solomon turns his attention to worship and daily living. He teaches that genuine worship changes both our words and our attitude toward life's blessings.

This passage naturally divides into three sections:

Worship God with reverence (vv. 1–7)

Trust God amid life's injustices (vv. 8–17)

Receive God's gifts with gratitude (vv. 18–20)

I. Worship God with Reverence (Ecclesiastes 5:1–7)

A. Prepare your heart before entering God's presence

"Guard your steps..."

The expression means to be careful how you approach God. Under the Old Covenant, people traveled to the temple. Today, believers gather as the church and enter God's presence through Christ.

Worship is not casual entertainment.

Psalm 95:6 says,

"Come, let's worship and bow down; let's kneel before the LORD our Maker."

Before worship, we should ask: 1) Am I coming to honor God? 2) Have I confessed my sin? 3) Am I ready to obey His Word?

God desires prepared hearts more than polished performances.

B. Listen more than you speak

Solomon says,

"Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do."

The fool assumes God is impressed by religious activity while ignoring obedience.

Jesus echoed this truth:

"If you love me, you will keep my commands." (John 14:15)

Listening is one of the highest acts of worship.

C. Speak thoughtfully before God

Verses 2–3 warn against careless words.

God is in heaven. We are on earth. That difference should produce humility.

Prayer is not about impressing God with many words.

Jesus taught, "Don't babble like the Gentiles." (Matthew 6:7)

God values sincere hearts more than long speeches.

D. Keep your commitments

Verses 4–7 warn about making vows carelessly.

In moments of crisis, people often promise God many things:

"Lord, if You heal me..."

"If You bless me..."

God expects honesty.

Jesus later taught, "Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No,' mean 'No.'" (Matthew 5:37)

Integrity is worship.

II. Trust God Amid Life's Injustices (Ecclesiastes 5:8–17)

Suddenly Solomon moves from worship to society. This is not a change of subject. Those who truly worship God learn to trust Him when life seems unfair.

A. Do not be surprised by corruption

Verse 8 acknowledges oppression. Officials abuse authority. The powerful exploit the weak. Nothing has changed. Throughout history, governments have often disappointed people.

Yet Solomon reminds us that every earthly ruler answers to a higher King. Ultimately God sees every injustice.

Romans 12:19 says, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."

B. Wealth never satisfies

Verses 10–12 contain one of Scripture's clearest warnings.

"The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver."

Money is a useful servant but a terrible master. The more possessions increase, the more worries increase, the more responsibilities increase, the more people consume them.

Only God satisfies the human heart.

Jesus asked, "What does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?" (Mark 8:36)

C. Riches cannot be taken beyond the grave

Verses 13–17 describe the tragedy of trusting wealth. People spend years accumulating possessions. Death removes everything.

Job declared, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life." (Job 1:21)

Our true treasure must be in heaven.

III. Receive God's Gifts with Gratitude (Ecclesiastes 5:18–20)

After discussing life's frustrations, Solomon ends with hope.

A. Enjoy God's daily blessings

"It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good..."

Notice:

Enjoyment itself is God's gift. Food, family, work, friendships, rest— these are gifts from God.

James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above."

Christians should neither idolize earthly blessings nor reject them. Instead, we receive them thankfully.

B. Contentment comes from God

Verse 19 teaches: God gives both possessions and the ability to enjoy them. Many people have wealth but no joy. Others possess little yet overflow with gratitude. Contentment is a gift of grace.

Paul wrote, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself." (Philippians 4:11)

C. Joy overcomes life's burdens

Verse 20 concludes beautifully. The joyful believer is not free from hardship. Rather, God fills the heart with joy that outweighs life's disappointments. This anticipates the abundant life Jesus promised.

Christ-Centered Application

Ecclesiastes exposes our tendency toward empty religion, misplaced trust, and restless striving. The gospel provides the answer.

Jesus Christ is the perfect worshiper who always honored the Father (John 8:29). Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for sinners to draw near to God with confidence (Hebrews 10:19–22). Because of Christ, our worship is no longer based on rituals or our own efforts but on His finished work.

As believers, we respond by offering ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1). Reverent worship flows into every part of life—our speech, our integrity, our work, our finances, and our gratitude for God's daily gifts.

Practical Applications

Prepare your heart before every worship service through prayer, confession, and expectation.

Listen carefully to God's Word, seeking obedience rather than mere information.

Speak honestly and reverently to God, avoiding empty or careless promises.

Trust God when you encounter injustice, remembering that He is the righteous Judge.

Hold possessions loosely, recognizing that wealth cannot satisfy the soul.

Cultivate gratitude by thanking God daily for His gifts and asking Him for a contented heart.

Conclusion

Solomon teaches that reverence for God transforms every area of life. Worship is not merely what happens during a church service; it shapes our words, our priorities, and our response to both hardship and blessing.

When we approach God with humility, trust Him in an unjust world, and receive His gifts with thankful hearts, we discover the joy He intends for His people. May our worship be marked not by empty words or outward ritual, but by hearts that fear the Lord, delight in Christ, and glorify God in every aspect of life. Amen.