WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025

The Sacredness of Promises to God

An In-Depth Look at Vows, Wisdom, and the Fear of the Lord

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:

MEMORISE: “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5)
BIBLE READING: Ecclesiastes 5:1-5
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

Message: The Gravity of a Vow

In today’s fast-paced world, promises are often made and broken with little thought. We live in a society of casual commitments and fleeting pledges. However, when we come to the house of God, we are called to a different standard. The book of Ecclesiastes, often attributed to King Solomon, provides a profound and sobering lesson on the sanctity of our words, especially when we are in the presence of the Almighty. The central theme of our reading is a powerful warning: before you make a vow, consider the weight of your words.

A vow is more than just a pledge; it is a sacred promise made to God. It is a covenant sealed with our own voice. The Bible is clear that God takes such promises seriously. Today’s memory verse, Ecclesiastes 5:5, is a sharp and direct command from the wisdom of Scripture: “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” This verse is not meant to discourage giving to God, but to instill a deep sense of respect and wisdom in our approach to Him. It is a call to exercise caution and to be deliberate in our commitments.

The Folly of Hasty Vows

The Bible reading from Ecclesiastes 5:1-5 gives us practical guidance on this matter. The passage begins with a very visual instruction: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God…” This imagery is a vivid metaphor for restraint. It’s an instruction to be cautious, to slow down, and to think before we act. It warns us against “the sacrifice of fools”—those who give rashly without considering the consequences, believing that the act of giving itself is a substitute for true obedience and wisdom.

The text goes on to say, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” This verse is a timeless reminder of the vast chasm between our earthly state and God’s heavenly majesty. We are finite; He is infinite. We are on earth; He is in heaven. Our words, therefore, must be few, chosen with care, and spoken with reverence. When we are rash with our mouth, we demonstrate a lack of reverence for the One we are speaking to.

Many people, including teenagers and adults alike, make vows out of pure emotion. They might be moved by a powerful sermon, a miraculous testimony, or a feeling of spiritual euphoria. In that moment of excitement, they may pledge a significant sum of money, a large portion of their income, or a valuable possession to God. While the intention might be pure, if the means to fulfill it are not there, it becomes a “fool’s vow.”

The message specifically cautions against making vows with resources that are not truly yours to pledge. For instance, a teenager pledging a significant portion of their school fees, which are a constant and necessary expense, is a dangerous and unwise decision. This is not generosity; it is a lack of wisdom. As the message points out, this can lead to being sent out of school and causing immense financial and emotional stress for parents. Such actions demonstrate a misguided understanding of faith, confusing an emotional impulse with a divine instruction. God never asks us to do something that would harm our well-being or cause undue burden to our families. He desires our obedience and our disciplined, thoughtful generosity, not our foolish, rash pledges.

The Consequences of an Unpaid Vow

The Bible is very clear about the consequences of not fulfilling a vow. It says, “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.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4). This is a strong warning. God takes no pleasure in those who fail to follow through on their promises.

Why is this so serious?

It shows a lack of integrity: Our word should be our bond. When we make a promise to God and do not keep it, we are demonstrating a lack of integrity. This is not a character trait that God desires in His children.

It demonstrates a lack of reverence: When we make a vow without the intention or ability to pay it, we are essentially saying that our words don’t matter to God. This is an act of disrespect and irreverence.

It can lead to spiritual stagnation: An unfulfilled vow can be a spiritual hindrance. It can create a barrier between us and God, leaving us feeling guilty, ashamed, and distant from Him.

This message is not meant to scare us away from giving. On the contrary, it is a call to a higher form of giving—one that is rooted in wisdom, discipline, and a deep reverence for God. It is better to give a smaller, more manageable amount that you can follow through on than to make a grand promise that you cannot keep.

A Call to Wisdom and Deliberation

My dear child, do not be in a hurry to make vows or pledges to God. Do not let anyone—a pastor, a prophet, or a friend—coerce you into doing so. Your giving to God should be a matter between you and Him, a product of prayer and wise counsel. Before you make a vow, ask yourself these questions:

Is this from God or from my emotions?
Do I have the means to fulfill this?
Am I doing this to impress others or to honor God?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This wisdom should guide our financial decisions and our words. When we approach God with a heart of reverence and a mind of wisdom, our giving will be a sweet-smelling sacrifice that He takes great pleasure in.

KEY POINT:

It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be wise and deliberate in all my dealings with You. Guard my heart and my mouth from making rash promises. Give me the wisdom to discern between my emotions and Your will. Help me to honor You in my giving and in my words, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Is it wrong to make a vow to God?

A: No, it is not inherently wrong. The Bible contains many examples of vows, such as Jacob’s vow in Genesis 28:20-22. The key is to be wise and to follow through on the vow. The problem is not the vow itself, but the rashness and the failure to pay it.

Q2: What should I do if I have made a vow that I cannot fulfill?

A: The first step is to confess your mistake to God and ask for His forgiveness. Do not try to ignore the vow. It is a serious matter. After confession, you should either seek to find a way to fulfill it over a longer period of time or, if it is truly impossible, seek guidance from a trusted spiritual leader on how to handle the situation. The most important thing is to address the issue and not let it linger.

Q3: How can I tell the difference between a vow initiated by God and one from my emotions?

A: A vow from God will often come with a sense of peace and a quiet conviction. It will also align with His Word and His character. A vow from your emotions, however, will often be tied to a high-energy, emotional moment. It may feel impulsive and may be something you question later when the emotion wears off. A good practice is to always wait and pray before making a significant vow, so you can be sure of the source.

Question and Answer

Q: The message mentions that it is “better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” This sounds very serious. What is the spiritual consequence of an unpaid vow?

A: The spiritual consequence of an unpaid vow is indeed very serious, and it speaks to the fundamental nature of our relationship with God.

An unfulfilled vow demonstrates a lack of the fear of the Lord. The “fear of the Lord” in the Bible is not about being terrified of God, but about a deep, reverential awe and respect for His holiness and authority. When we make a promise to God that we do not keep, we are treating Him casually, as if He is a peer or a human from whom we can easily get a second chance. This disrespect is a reflection of a heart that may not truly grasp the majesty of God.

Furthermore, an unfulfilled vow can open a door to spiritual attacks. The enemy, who is always looking for a legal ground to stand on, can use our lack of integrity as a foothold to bring trouble into our lives. We are, in a sense, demonstrating that we are not trustworthy, and this can be a spiritual weakness. The Bible warns that God has no pleasure in fools, and the term “fool” here refers not to a person with low intelligence, but to someone who lives in a way that is contrary to God’s wisdom and principles.

The unfulfilled vow also damages our own spirit. It creates a weight of guilt and shame that can hinder our prayer life and our relationship with God. It can lead to a cycle of spiritual stagnation where we feel unworthy to approach God, thereby missing out on the blessings He has for us. The solution is not to run from God, but to humbly confess our failure and seek His grace to set things right. The good news is that when we come to God with a repentant heart, He is faithful and just to forgive us.