“CHRISTIAN VOWS”

“When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.”

Ecclesiastes 5:4

How good are you at keeping promises? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself?

I have a 10-year-old daughter who loves to play (just like any kid in any home) and she incessantly bugs me to play with her. One time when she was 7, I was swamped with work and she asked me, “Dad when you’re not busy later, can we play?” I wasn’t really paying attention but I blurted, “Yes.”

When she finally saw me taking some rest, she came to me and practically gave my word back to me, saying, “Dad, you said that when you’re not busy, you were going to play with me.” I snapped and said, “Really?” “Yes you did,” said my little girl. So, I had no choice but to play with her. Little did I know we were going to play with dolls and make-up kits that day!

Ecclesiastes is considered one of the wisest books in the Bible. King Solomon is believed to have written this book, likely during his later life (about 931 B.C.). Its original purpose was to advise the young people, presumably the Israelites, but its message is timeless and it still resonates with us. The book warns us to avoid walking through life on the path of human wisdom, which often leads to destruction. Instead, it encourages us to live by the revealed wisdom of God.

What is a vow?

It can be defined as a solemn promise or pledge that binds a person to perform in a certain manner. It appears 30 times in the Bible, with emphasis on the vow being final and binding. When a person gives a vow, it becomes a permanent contract. Simply put, when we give our word to do something, we are obligated to do it.

Today’s verse serves as a reminder and warning to us to be wise in making pledges to God, and by extension, to others. Promises made to God have serious implications. This verse mirrors what Moses wrote:

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.”

Deuteronomy 23.21

Consider the word “pay,” which comes from the Hebrew word “shalam,” which means “to make amends” or “to be at peace.” When we make a promise to God, it becomes a debt that we need to pay or an obligation that we need to fulfill. Failure to do so would mean violating a solemn oath to a holy God who demands nothing short of holiness. Practically speaking, unless we fulfill our vow, we won’t be at peace with God (within the context of fulfilling vows) and our conscience serves as a witness to our shortcomings.

Moreover, the text informs us that God isn’t happy dealing with insincere people. It is unbecoming of a Christian to make a promise to God and change his mind later. Vows are binding, even when we speak of them foolishly or privately in our daily conversations. The God who made the ears also hears.

Pursue the Savior today!