Saturday Song: Simon and Garfunkel, "Richard Cory"

This song shows how riches by themselves don't satisfy. The man in the song envied the owner of the factory where he worked. But when his boss committed suicide, he couldn't grasp why anybody with wealth would ever throw it all away.

Listen to Simon and Garfunkel's story song here:

The Bible has much to say about wealth. Chiefly, wealth can't save a person. Matthew 16:26 (BBE) Reminds us, "For what profit has a man, if he gets all the world with the loss of his life? or what will a man give in exchange for his life?"

Long ago, God reminded Israel that he's the one which allowed them to gain riches through the plunder of the Canaanites. Deuteronomy 8:17 (BBE) informs us, "Say not then, in your hearts, 'My power and the strength of my hands have got me this wealth.' But keep in mind the Lord your God: for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, so that he may give effect to the agreement which he made by his oath with your fathers, as at this day."

Remember that Solomon asked for wisdom in that dream when God asked him what he desired. The Lord's answer is recorded in 2 Chronicles 1:11 and 12 (BBE). "And God said to Solomon, 'Because this was in your heart, and you did not make request for money, property, or honour, or for the destruction of your haters, or for long life; but you have made request for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you may be the judge of my people over whom I have made you king: Wisdom and knowledge are given to you; and I will give you wealth and honour, such as no king has had before you or ever will have after you."

So, should we live in abject poverty to avoid the traps of riches? We read a wise prayer in Proverbs 30:8 and 9 (BBE). "Put far from me all false and foolish things: do not give me great wealth or let me be in need, but give me only enough food: For fear that if I am full, I may be false to you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or if I am poor, I may become a thief, using the name of my God wrongly."

On Monday, provided the Lord doesn't return before then, I hope to post about Christ's disciples' misplaced expectations.

Why Wealth Won't Satisfy

Have you ever played the lotteries or games of chance? Have you ever invested in a pyramid scheme with the hope of reaping a huge windfall? I certainly have and in both cases too. My hope was that I could quit my dead-end job and live in luxury.

The trouble is that "easy money" isn't easy to come by and it easily escapes any one who receives it. Proverbs 13:11 (BBE) certainly explains that fact. "Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased."

Solomon also wrote in Proverbs 23:5 (BBE), "Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven."

And even if a person gains wealth righteously, how can a parent know if the children will be wise with their inheritance? As Solomon noted in Ecclesiastes 2:21 (BBE), "Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand; but one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. This again is to no purpose and a great evil."

Remember too what Jesus said regarding riches. Matthew 16:26 (BBE) reads, "For what profit has a man, if he gets all the world with the loss of his life? or what will a man give in exchange for his life?"

But is it wrong to accumulate riches if one is a Christian? Poor people can't give as much as the rich. Look at what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 11:24 (BBE). "A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need."

So, what's the best level of wealth for us? We read the answer in Proverbs 30:8 (BBE). "Put far from me all false and foolish things: do not give me great wealth or let me be in need, but give me only enough food:"

What I hope to post on Saturday is right in line with this post. Wealth alone won't satisfy.

What's Wrong With Happiness?

As I wrote previously, the problem with happiness is it doesn't last. Our good feelings are dependent on happenstance and are lost when we experience adversity.

We feel tempted to envy those wicked, rich people, assuming riches make us glad. Everything goes well for them and they feel no oppression. But we find out in Job 21:13 (BBE) that their good times don't last. "Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld."

And though we disagree about politicians, we can all say "Amen!" to what Proverbs 12:19 (BBE) says. "True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute."

The joy we feel inside, even when things go sideways for us, is because we know who will give us eternal bliss. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17 (BBE), saying, "For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory;"

It seems contrary to logic but we can be glad even in persecution. James 5:11 (BBE) reminds us, "We say that those men who have gone through pain are happy: you have the story of Job and the troubles through which he went and have seen that the Lord was full of pity and mercy in the end." What a reassurance!

Better still, following the Lord keeps us out of activities which would only harm us in the end. Proverbs 28:14 (BBE) tells us the fate of those who rebel against God. "Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble."

Paul certainly learned the secret of being content. As he wrote in Philippians 4:11 (BBE), "But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself."

I fondly remember a CB radio saying back in the seventies. "I send my signal out 26 miles and God does the rest. Let's do what we can but let God take care of what we can't handle.

On Thursday, Christ's return not withstanding, I hope to post about why wealth won't satisfy us.

Saturday Song: Amon Düül II, "Liquid Whisper"

Have you ever blown soap bubbles on a warm, spring afternoon? It's one of those childhood experiences which never loses it's appeal.

A German band called Amon Düül II recorded a song back in 1974 about this pleasurable pastime. Listen to it here.One of many blessings God gave us is colour vision. While many creatures see in only shades of grey, we have the added advantage of seeing light in all its splendor.

The rainbow is a wonderful treat to see. Rain drops become prisms, dividing white light into its component colours. And since it's such a striking sight, God used it to "remember" his covenant not to drown the world again.

We read of this in Genesis 9:13 (BBE) which says, "I will put my bow in the cloud and it will be for a sign of the agreement between me and the earth."

Since we appreciate colour vision, it naturally suits our desire for fashion. Check out what Genesis 37:3 (BBE) records regarding the giftJacob  gave his son Joseph. "Now the love which Israel had for Joseph was greater than his love for all his other children, because he got him when he was an old man: and he had a long coat (of many colours) made for him."

Coloured garments were worn by nobility as they were costly to make. Purple was the most costley of them all, therefore kings and queens became associated with it.

That's why we read in Mark 15:17 (BBE) that the Saviour was dressed in purple to mock his claim of being a king. "And they put a purple robe on him, and twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;"

When the New Jerusalem, which I believe represents the people Christ saved, comes from heaven, it is described in terms of precious stones. John, Christ's beloved disciple, tells us in Revelation 21:19 and 20 (BBE) that, "The bases of the wall of the town had ornaments of all sorts of beautiful stones. The first base was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst."

No matter which sort of "gem" we are, may we shine the Lord's light into this dark world until that blessed day.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I'll post about what's wrong with happiness.

What is True Joy?

The pursuit of happiness is common to all of us. Even grumpy folks pursue the perverse joy of making others feel bad and being a martyr to whatever cause they support.

The joy which worldly folks enjoy is short. It evaporates the moment trouble looms. Job 20:4 and 5 (BBE) says, "Have you knowledge of this from early times, when man was placed on the earth, That the pride of the sinner is short, and the joy of the evil-doer but for a minute?"

We who belong to Christ have a joy which never ends. Why so? Our God is on our side, not on our backs. Psalms 5:11 (KJV) proclaims, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

Just being in the Lord's presence gives us great jubilation. Psalms 16:11 (BBE) says, "You will make clear to me the way of life; where you are joy is complete; in your right hand there are pleasures for ever and ever."

And as I wrote before, the trials sinners cause us can't rob us of our holy glee. Psalms 27:6 (BBE) tells us, "And now my head will be lifted up higher than my haters who are round me: because of this I will make offerings of joy in his tent; I will make a song, truly I will make a song of praise to the Lord."

Even when we're punished by God for giving in to sin, it results in our growth and happiness. Psalms 30:5 (BBE) explains, "For his wrath is only for a minute; in his grace there is life; weeping may be for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Whenever we feel down, we can pray Psalms 51:12 and 13 )BBE). "Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support. Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you."

So we understand the multiple purposes of righteous joy. Happiness doesn't last but the exhilaration of belonging to the Lord is eternal.

On Saturday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about a childhood pleasure and a beautiful song by a German band.

Will War Ever End?

It was on this date in 1970 that four students at Kent State University were shot dead by soldiers brought in to quell student violence. Some reports were that the students provoked the men while others say that the provocation was deliberate. Whatever the cause, war will always be with us in this age.

Jesus certainly had no illusions of human-managed peace. As he said in Matthew 24:6 (BBE), "And news will come to you of wars and talk of wars: do not be troubled, for these things have to be; but it is still not the end."

War has been around for a long time. As we read in Revelation 12:7 and 8 (BBE), even angels and demons fought one another. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going out to the fight with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels made war, And they were overcome, and there was no more place for them in heaven."

And though war is murder on a vast scale, there were times when God used humanity's propensity toward violence for his own ends. Exodus 33:1 and 2 (BBE) show the purpose for Israel's conquest of Canaan. "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Go forward from this place, you and the people whom you have taken up out of the land of Egypt, to that land about which I made an oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, "To your seed will I give it." And I will send an angel before you, driving out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite:'"

Other nations were also punished by warring with Israel as they likewise were by other nations. Joel 3:10 (BBE) reads, "Get your plough-blades hammered into swords, and your vine-knives into spears: let the feeble say, I am strong."

A time will come when Christ will reign and war will be gone forever. Isaiah 2:4 (BBE) promises, "And he will be the judge between the nations, and the peoples will be ruled by his decisions: and their swords will be turned into plough-blades, and their spears into vine-knives: no longer will the nations be turning their swords against one another, and the knowledge of war will be gone for ever."

On Thursday, provided Christ doesn't return before then, I hope to post about what true joy is.

Saturday Song: Rupert Hine, "House Arrest"

What an unprecedented situation the world faces. Never has the population of the entire planet been quarantined or restricted socially. Plagues have broken out over vast areas of the planet throughout history, yet the entire globe has never feared a flu.

Since it feels like we're all under House Arrest, here's a song by Rupert Hine regarding that condition. Listen to it here:

Believe it or not, the Apostle Paul was placed under house arrest. Luke tells us in Acts 28:30 and 31 (BBE), "And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him, Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so."

Thanks to that house arrest, many people heard the gospel in Rome. In fact, we read how far up the chain of command the gospel spread in Philippians 4:22 (BBE). "All the saints send their love to you, specially those who are of Caesar's house."

Paul also realized the advantage which his incarceration brought to his preaching ministry. Philippians 1:12 and 13 (BBE) reads, "Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;"

Thanks to Paul's many imprisonments, he wrote many of the letters which we now have in our Bibles. Not being able to visit churches or preach to crowds, he had the time to pen epistles to congregations and individuals alike.

The most poignant letter of those is Second  Timothy. We read in chapter four, verses nine through eleven (BBE),  "Do your best to come to me before long: For Demas has gone away from me, for love of this present life, and has gone to Thessalonica: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and take him with you; for he is of use to me in the work."

So if your plans are squashed by being confined to your home, you can do like Paul and encourage others with a phone call, text, or e-mail. Even an old fashion letter would cheer up folks.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to publish a post about war and when it will finally end.