WHOSE REPUTATION MATTERS MOST?

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

⁴ If you actually promise something to God, do not wait to make good your promise, because he is not pleased by such foolishness. Pay what you promise. ⁵ In fact, it would be better not to promise anything than to promise and not pay. ⁶ Do not let that mouth of yours cause you to sin, and do not excuse your promise by claiming it was a mistake. Why cause God to be angry at your excuse and destroy what you have accomplished? ⁷ Because when the nightmares keep coming, and words mount, it shows how impermanent life is. God is the one who should matter to you.

not number one

The collector remembered all those times when he entered the temple and boasted of building this and giving that. He remember that some of those times they were empty boasts, and he did not carry out his promises. When that happened, it was God’s reputation that was damaged. It would be better to not promise anything than to promise and not fulfil the promise. The wise person is considerate of God, because he is number one, and we are not.

LORD, make us sensitive to your reputation, and humble.