One must be willing to HEAR what God says, so that one
may KNOW how to APPROACH God in His way (5:1)
Cain OFFERED the sacrifice of a fool and REFUSED to follow
the righteous way of Abel, which led to his MURDER of Abel and God's CURSE upon him (Genesis 4:3-12 cf. Hebrews 11:4; I John 3:12)
One must not be RASH in making vows before the Lord, so
as not to be tempted into FOOLISHLY DEFERRING what has been promised to Him (5:2-5)
Jephthah came to REGRET the foolishness of his vow, which
resulted in his daughter's PERMANENT virginity (Judges 11:29-40)
One must not SIN with his lips and later CLAIM it was
an ERROR - God will REJECT such pleas (5:6)
He that LABORS RESTS easier than one who LUSTS after his
goods and is NEVER SATISFIED (5:10-12)
Selfish GREED may bring wealth, but it will eventually
disappear through either unforseen trouble or death - and in the end only causes GRIEF and DESPAIR (5:13-17 cf. I Timothy 6:7-10)
He that ACCEPTS GOD'S PROVISION - whether it be much or
little - ENJOYS GOD'S GIFT OF CONTENTMENT (5:18-20 cf. I Timothy 6:1-6)