The Word for Today with Ray: March 2026

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Coming from His Mothers’s Womb and Returning - Ecclesiastes 5:15

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand”, and in chapter five and verse fifteen of his book Solomon said, “he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came” where we read,

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came,

and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

The verse reads, “As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, …” Solomon began with the words, “as he came forth” or “in the same manner that he, the son of the wealthy person, made entrance, was birthed and born” “of his mother’s womb” which means “from his, the son’s, immediate female progenitor and ancestor’s, belly or abdomen”, “naked shall he return” or “bare, nude and without clothing will he, the son, go and turn back” “to go as he came” which means “to proceed and go forth similar and in likeness to the way and manner that he, the son, made entrance, was birthed and born”. Solomon said in the same manner the “son” was birthed without clothing, he will go back in the same way.

The verse goes on to say, “… and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.” Daniel continued with the words, “and shall take nothing” or “and will carry not one thing” “of his labor” which means “pertaining to his, the son’s, toil, work and business”, “which he may carry away” or “that he, the son, can walk, depart and leave with” “in his hand” which means “within his physical hand”. Solomon shared how the son of the wealthy person will carry not one thing away in his physical hand from his toil and labor in this life.

When we consider Solomon’s words in this verse, we realize that everyone is born with “nothing”, and they shall leave with “nothing” as well. God gives life, breath and sustenance of life to every person who is born, and they obtain possessions great and small which may be used and enjoyed while on the earth. However, not one possession will be taken with us when we die. God is an eternal God, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth concerning the temporary possessions and valuables that may be used to promote the Kingdom of God and invest in treasures that will never fade away. (See Matthew 6:19-21)

Next time Solomon says, “this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Riches Perishing By Evil Travail - Ecclesiastes 5:14

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt”, and in chapter five and verse fourteen of his book Solomon said, “those riches perish by evil travail” where we read,

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

The verse reads, “But those riches perish by evil travail:” Solomon began with the words, “but those riches perish” or “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover those objects of wealth vanish, go away and are blotted out” “by evil travail” which means “through the means of bad, disagreeable, malignant and displeasing tasks, jobs and occupations”. Solomon said the temporary wealth and valuables of those who possess them vanish and go away through the means of malignant and disagreeable occupations.

The verse continues, “and he begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.” Daniel added the words, “and he begets a son” or “and he, the wealthy person, engenders and brings forth a male offspring or progeny”, “and there is nothing” which means “and there exists not one thing” “in his hand” or “within his, the son’s, physical hand”. Solomon referred to how the “wealthy man” engenders a male child who has not one thing within his physical “hand”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how the wealth and valuables obtained by people vanish through malignant occupations, and when an offspring is born to the one who possesses them, they have nothing within their physical hands to add. God knows the world and the things within it are temporary, and they are best used when they promote eternal purposes. God blesses us with that which is His, (See Psalm 24:1) and when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit how to use what God has furnished to us in keeping with His Divine purposes and will.

Next time Solomon says, “he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Riches Kept for the Owners - Ecclesiastes 5:13

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep”, and in chapter five and verse thirteen of his book Solomon shared about, “riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt” where we read,

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun,

namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

The verse reads, “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, …” Solomon began with the words, “there is a sore evil” or “there exists a grievous, sickening and painful bad, malignancy, injury, distress, adversity and misery” “which I have seen” which means “that I, Solomon, have perceived, noticed, discerned and observed” “under the sun” or “beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon began to share about a grievous malignancy and distress that he observed beneath the sun in the sky.

The verse goes on to say, “… namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.” Daniel continued with the word, “namely” or “specifically”, “riches kept for the owners thereof” which means “wealth and abundance guarded, observed, taken charge over and protected on behalf of the lords and masters of the riches” “to their hurt” or “to their, the owners of the riches’, bad, unhappiness and sadness”. Solomon specifically referred to wealth that is guarded and protected which causes unhappiness and sadness to the people who master over them.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he observed a grievous distress and misery beneath the sun when wealth is guarded and protected over for the master of them to the degree that it harms them and makes them unhappy. God wants us to know the difference between temporary and eternal things. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so “riches” and wealth will never cause us unhappiness, distress and misery upon the earth.

Next time Solomon says, “those riches perish by evil travail”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Sleep of a Laboring Man - Ecclesiastes 5:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?”, and in chapter five and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “the sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much” where we read,

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:

but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

The verse reads, “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:” Solomon began with the words, “the sleep” or “the resting, drowsing and dozing” “of a laboring man” which means “pertaining to a person who serves and works” “is sweet” or “exists as honey or sugar”, “whether he eat little” which means “if and in case he, the laboring person, consumes or devours a small amount” “or much” or “or a large amount”. Solomon referred to the pleasant slumber of a person who works whether they work a small or abundant amount.

The verse continues, “but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Daniel added the words, “but the abundance of the rich” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the satiety, plenteousness and copiousness belonging to the noble and wealthy” “will not suffer him” which means “shall not allow or permit him, the rich person” “to sleep” or “to slumber, rest, drowse or doze”. Solomon contrasted the lack of rest and slumber of people who have a numerous amount of wealth with those who simply “labor”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Solomon showed the difference between the slumber and rest that is experienced by a person who serves and works versus a wealthy person who worries about his belongings. God owns everything, and when He gives us a portion of His belongings to enjoy, we should always be of the mindset to serve. Otherwise worry and concern over our “wealth” will rob us of rest and “sleep”. God wants to be in a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth including the rest in our “labor” and wealth in whatever measure He provides.

Next time Solomon shares about, “riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

When Goods Increase, They are Increased that Eat Them - Ecclesiastes 5:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity”, and in chapter five and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “when goods increase, they are increased that eat them” where we read,

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them:

and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

The verse reads, “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them:” Solomon began with the words, “when goods increase” or “at the time and moment pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable things become numerous and multiply”, “they are increased” which means “they, people, become numerous and multiply” “that eat them” or “who consume and devour them, the pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuables”. Solomon said at the time and moment valuable become more numerous, so do the people who consume them.

The verse goes on to say, “and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?” Daniel continued with the words, “and what good is there” or “and whatsoever pleasantness, agreeableness, excellence and value exists” “to the owners thereof” which means “to the lords, masters and rulers over the goods”, “saving the beholding of them” or “except to see and observe them, the pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable things” “with their eyes” which means “by the use of their physical eyes used for vision and sight”? Solomon asked what profit there was in the valuables to the people who ruled over them except to observe them as they slip away.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon what he thought about the multiplication of temporary pleasant and agreeable valuables. He said along with the growth of them, more people arrive to consume them. He certainly knew this because his household consumed many valuables. (See 1 Kings 4:22-23) God owns everything, and He lends what belongs to Him to people in different measures for a time. Everything we own and possess will be left on the earth when we leave through death, and this is one of the reasons God gave His Son Jesus to the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and shown by His Holy Spirit how we are to use what He gives us for eternal purposes which shall never pass away.

Next time Solomon says, “the sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, March 21, 2026

He that Loves Silver - Unsatisfied - Ecclesiastes 5:10

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field”, and in chapter five and verse ten of his book Solomon said, “he that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver” where we read,

He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver;

nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

The verse reads, “He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver;” Solomon began with the words, “he that loves silver” or “he, the person whether male or female, who has an affection and appetite for silver metal” “shall not be satisfied” which means “will in no way or manner exist as sated, fulfilled and surfeited” “with silver” or “by the use and gain of silver metal”. Solomon said the person who has an appetite or strong desire for “silver” metal will in no way or manner be fulfilled by it.

The verse continues, “nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” Daniel added the words, “nor he that loves abundance” or “neither he, the person whether male or female, who has an appetite and affection for store, wealth and riches” “with increase” which means “accompanied by produce, product and revenue”: “this is also vanity” or “this, the desire for wealth, riches and revenue, even so and indeed exists as vapor, breath, emptiness and transitory dissatisfaction.” Solomon included the person who desires and has an appetite for wealth and riches with revenue among the things that are empty, vain and filled with transitory dissatisfaction.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how a desire for valuable silver, wealth, riches and revenue ultimately ends in transitory dissatisfaction for the people who seek them. God is wealthy. God is rich, and God has an endless stream of revenue. He owns everything, and there is nothing that exists that is outside of His rule. (See Psalms 24:1) His desire is to have an eternal personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was sent to the earth to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind which separated us from Him. When Jesus rose from the grave after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped wth His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth including how to use and employ the “riches of this world” to bless the Kingdom of God and to receive the “true riches” from Him that He has promised to give. (See John 16:13; Luke 16:11)

Next time Solomon says, “when goods increase, they are increased that eat them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Profit of the Earth is For All - Ecclesiastes 5:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “if you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they”, and in chapter five and verse nine of his book Solomon said, “the profit of the earth is for all”, where we read,

Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

The verse reads, “Moreover the profit of the earth is for all:” Solomon began with the words, “moreover the profit” or “even more the advantage, preeminence and gain” “of the earth” which means “belonging to the country, district, region and world” “is for all” or “exists for each, every, the whole and everyone”. Solomon declared that the advantage and gain of the world exists for everyone.

The verse goes on to say, “the king himself is served by the field.” Daniel continued with the words, “the king himself” or “the royal ruler and leader his own self” “is served by the field” which means “exists as supported and ministered to through the means of the cultivated land or plain.” Solomon shared how the royal ruler his own self is ministered to through the means of the cultivated land.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how God has given the cultivated land of the world to provide for everyone, and even those who rule and reign are supported by them. God owns everything, (See Psalms 24:1) and He supplies food, nourishment and drink to all people whether they are royalty or not. God wants everyone not only to appreciate and use what He has supplied, but also to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into the true ways to receive what God has provided and to employ His gifts in a manner that blesses Him and others within His Kingdom.

Next time Solomon says, “he that loves silver will not be satisfied with silver”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…