Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - When you make a vow to God...

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

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. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

Commentary

Promises made to God have serious implications. The OT background for this admonition is found in Deut. 23:21-23; Judg. 11:35. Ananias and Sapphira learned the hard way (cf. Acts 5:1-11).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ec 5:4). Nashville: Word Pub.

vow - A particular promise made to God (Deut. 23:21-23).

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Ec 5:4). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Proverbs 28:8 - He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest ...

He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8

Commentary

Today usury means exorbitant rates of interest. Those who enrich themselves by usury or other forms of illicit revenue will lose their wealth; it will be taken from them and given to someone who knows how to use it better and how to treat the poor considerately.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Pr 28:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.