Got Fruit ?

The real purpose of our existence is not to make a living, but to make a life - a worthy, well-rounded, useful life.
`Unknown

I pick up from yesterday’s post with a final idea or two from Jeremiah 5. The thought here is additional information concerning Israel’s spiritual condition becoming affected by it’ selfish pursuit of economic/financial gain and a tie in to the idea behind 1st Timothy 6:6.

Jeremiah 5:26-27 reads..

Jeremiah 5:26-27
26 “Among my people are wicked men
who lie in wait like men who snare birds
and like those who set traps to catch men.

27 Like cages full of birds,
their houses are full of deceit;
they have become rich and powerful

I have a vision of snake oil salesmen or the hosts of late night infomercials after reading those verses. Yet, has God said that to be rich or powerful is a sin; or to even desire financial success? I think not, though His word surely warns of the spiritual difficulties that can occur when one is materially wealthy but spiritually impoverished.

As I understand it God is specifically addressing the corruption practiced by spiritual leaders within the nation of Israel, a point made back in verse 5, expanded upon in verse 26-27 and the fullness of the sinfulness summed up and judged in verses 30-31. The quick explanation is greed that led to godlessness, which allowed sin to further permeate their lives, which then declined to a state of total wickedness in the eyes of the Lord.

Jeremiah 5:5,30-31
5 So I will go to the leaders
and speak to them;
surely they know the way of the LORD,
the requirements of their God.”
But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke
and torn off the bonds.

30 “A horrible and shocking thing
has happened in the land:

31 The prophets prophesy lies,
the priests rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
But what will you do in the end? (see v.27)

Certainly a lot to consider, to meditate on, and to remember, which was maybe where Israel initially failed and thus fell. Israel had forgotten the “little” but just as critical things in their relationship with God. A final verse that stands out concerning this thought as well as the economic implications associated with Israel and 1st Timothy 6:6 comes from verse 24. God has spoken on Israel’s rebellion, and again He points out some simple truths to how they faltered, forgetting God’s provisions instead opting for their own plan of action.

Jeremiah 5:24
24 They do not say to themselves,
‘Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’

Grace and peace be with you.

Goodness is the only investment that never fails
`Unknown

For the past month or so, it would appear that my routine for Bible study time has taken a turn in methodology. It was, that I use to read a chapter or two from a book in both the Old & New Testament within the same study session. Now, I’m spending more time combing through a maximum of 1 chapter from any select book; being less concerned about the cumulative quantity. As best as I can tell, this change in approach forces me to read and re-read; often producing a better understanding as subtleties of Scripture are revealed. Jeremiah 5 is such a case…

Yesterday’s post titled Hook, Line & Stinker closed with a reference to 1st Timothy 6:6 which I take to understand as instruction and a word of caution against materialism. The gist of 1st Timothy 6:6 as I see it: be “happy” with what you have been blessed by God with,don’t get sidetracked into living a worldly life due to pursuit of “more”. Not to say that it’s a negative quality or “bad” to desire to have nice things, instead that desire becomes a bad thing when it’s the driving force or motivator in one’s life.

After reading through Jeremiah 5 about three or four times some other ideas appeared which I’ll get to momentarily, but first a brief overview of the chapter.

Jeremiah 5 overview: “No One is Upright”

1. God promises to forgive Jerusalem if Jeremiah can find one person that deals honestly and seeks truth.
2. Jeremiah however,surmises that Israel is unrepentant of her ways and prophesies of Jerusalem being attacked.
3. Israel’s infidelity with other nations is so perverse that they begin to think that God’s promises of judgement are idle threats.
4. God doesn’t seem too pleased with Israel’s brazen attitude toward Him.

If I were to sum up Jeremiah 5 it would be that Israel had become a corrupt nation because of it’s greed. a result of lacking contentment in the Lord. The greed spawned other sinful acts causing Israel to go deeper into losing it’s way in the Lord.

In Jeremiah 5: 1, it speaks of finding just one person that “…deals honestly & seeks truth, …”. I have an idea that what’s being referenced is that Israel sold their souls both collectively and on an individual basis for financial gain. Israel compromised their morals for economic prosperity. A situation that God first address when He says:

Jeremiah 5:7
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.

Through Jeremiah, God then tells of His judgment which I find kind of ironic in that it was an economic situation that got Israel into this mess, so it is through economics that God is going to get their attention. Israel proclaimed in verse Jeremiah 5:12; “…’He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine.’ ”

Through war and famine Israel is going to be affected (economically), which in turn affects them in the most basic but essentials of humans, a need for food to survive. But for the immediate future it appears that the first thing that they’ll eat is their words, followed by a helping of “humble pie”. I have no idea if God intended for the order of this next verse to be specific, however I find it interesting that humans and animals are book-ended, between agricultural sustenance, & then as a point of finality or “in your face”, God says that the fortified cites will be destroyed. How do you fortify a city? One way is through trade and commerce or economics.

Jeremiah 5:17
They will devour your harvests and food, devour your sons and daughters; they will devour your flocks and herds, devour your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.

To be continued…

Grace and peace be with you.

After a semi-productive day at the office, I made it over to the church after work to meet with one of our deacon-trustees.  On the rare occasion, I happened to be the one to be early.  While unlocking the church I noticed a vehicle pulling into the church driveway moments after my arrival; I thought nothing of it and continued on about my ways.

After settling into the secretary’s chair and cranking up the PC to check e-mail, some visitors enter the church, which I assumed were folks interested in the church or perhaps looking for more info concerning Sunday Services.

As it turned out they were interested in our services, rather what services they could help the church and it’s congregation with.  The folks were marketing business opportunities (read cynically as pyramid schemes).  Now my Spidey-senses didn’t sound off alarmingly initially, and since they were actually interested in presenting their "pitch" to the pastor; my guard wasn’t quite in full "lock-down" mode until… The conversation graduated from introductory small talk to politely prodding salesmanship type questions (I was in sales at one time, so I’m fairly confident about my feel for these things) to some buzzwords that definitely trip the alarm; especially since we were talking about conducting the business of God be it the church,the congregation or Christianity in a broad sense.  As I made mention earlier, it was the pastor that the visitors expressed interest in, but since he was not in, I suppose I made as good a "mark" as any.  Which "Oh by the way" is a word  that stood out while editing video earlier in the day as a peculiar word to take notice.

So, we’ve gotten past the formalities of introductions and small talk, when those buzzwords enter the conversation, words that no doubt have several applicable uses in marketing but…  cause this Christian to go "Wait!  Hold up.  Something is smelling a little fishy, and it ‘aint me because I showered this morning!"  Words and phrases in the form of questions such as:

Q.The economy is getting tight, everyone could use some EXTRA MONEY, wouldn’t you agree?
A. Sure, but I don’t want any if it’ll cost me my soul, thank you.

Q. Our marketing tools are designed to help you PROSPER.
A.  Really?  Well, God’s got a solid idea on that as well.

Q. Our programs are designed to provide a means of supplemental income, potentially WEALTH.
A.  Hmm.  I’ve got Jesus, I’m wealthy in a way that truly matters.

Q. The marketing services offer a means to FUTURE FINANCIAL SECURITY.
A.  Really?  I’m working that angle already, securing my future that is, and it’s already been paid for by Jesus.

No, I didn’t actually say any of these things, but they did cross my mind.  What took place near the end, after the "line" was cast with a "hook" on the end of the pitch; is that I politely explained that my days were quite full already between commitments to God, family and church.  I also remembered & shared this week’s marquee message:

1st Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Grace and peace be with you