A Great Gain (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

What do you think of when you think of contentment? (vs 6) Satisfaction?  complete Wholeness? 

I wonder if contentment is something that is meant for one person to attain unto himself or if others are required? How does contentment harmonize with community? 

Nature has created all of it's  animals to work together in an dance of dependency. As I sit here in the park, I see squirrels gathering pine nuts that have fallen from the trees. An interdependency between squirrel and tree allows the tree to provide the seed for the squirrel who then buries (plants) the seed in anticipation for winter storage.   

Why is man different from God's other creations? Why does man anxiously engage in activity to get gain above another? to be first, to compete, to have more? to be the best? to be "rich"? 

Paul teaches Timothy to pay caution to those who disdain wholesome words (vs 3) and doctrines of godliness. For Godliness teaches us to love others above the need for gain, to serve with charity over the need for more, to quell storms over words of strife. 


There are those that believe all gain is of godliness. In other words, if we are doing well we must be doing something right for God has blessed us. Does this mean then that all those who are not doing well are not blessed of God? It is a treacherous path to follow. 

The greatest gain comes when we measure contentment with our godliness. Contentment means that we consider the community in which we live and make sure our profits harmonize with others.  Contentment means we understand that we cannot bring anything with us into this world (of measured time) and we likewise cannot take anything with us. (vs 7) Contentment means that we count our blessings for having food and clothing (vs 8) and realize that anything above our basic needs is to be shared with others. Hoarding will only cause imbalance and strife. 

Nature can teach us of righteousness (God's creations do what they are created to do), godliness( they remind us of their creator), faith (they do not question their existence nor their purpose), love (they create social networks where they are protected and cared for and express this through their actions), patience (time has little meaning to them)  and meekness(tameness towards others of their species and even others species in need)(vs 11).

Man must consider that his prize lies in his ability to understand that the greatest gain he can attain comes not in the hoarding of earthly treasure but in the prospect  of eternal life (vs 12, 19) A squirrel does not love his food more than his community.   He has learned to respect that which gives  him food.  If he did not he might end up destroying the very tree which has been created to fulfill his needs. Likewise we are taught that we should not love that which gives us our needs (money) more than we love the community.  We are to respect that which brings us joy, food, shelter, and community. 

Paul taught us that God quickeneth all things (vs 13), and that we should not trust in uncertain riches (vs 17) but rather in the creator of both heaven and earth. God has promised  that we might, if we will keep God's commandments (vs 14) find immortality (vs 16) dwelling in his light (vs 16) . 

  

Gain is not Godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

I have stewed over this post for long enough. Why has it been so very difficult? I think its because we all want gain, and we all want godliness. I didn't like being told about or (writing about) gain and godliness. We all want them (even if we don't acknowledge it) to be one and the same. 

After all, isn't that how our community and our society operates. Those who are rich are looked up to. Those who have made it and have found some measure of fame are to be looked up to. We examine what, how, why, and even where they did what they did to make it. We examine what they loved, desired, and who they became as society shaped them. But does this make them godly? 

It is easier to look outside of ourselves for things or people to worship than it is to look inwardly. For to look inward requires honesty. So in thinking about this post, I had to ask myself, What do I worship? Godliness or fame, service or riches, wholesome words or disputation? 

While in New York this past weekend we toured the King Tut exhibit. King Tutankhamun as a boy of nine was revered as a part Egyptian god, a sort of meditator between the living and the gods. Discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter his tomb remains the most wealthy of tombs ever to be discovered. Many other Pharaohs had greater and more wealthy tombs but they were plundered by grave robbers.  Did he become a God because of his family birthplace, because of his wealth, or merely because of his culture. His example is one to be considered. Would you want him to be your god?  Because of his wealth? because of his experience? because of ? It is of note to mention that he died an early untimely death most likely brought on my trama to the brain.  

Weather he continues to live on after his death and find use of any of the hundreds of golden artifacts that decorated his tomb remains unanswered. What is certain is that he has gained eternal fame. Sadly it is not because of how he treated another, nor how he cared for the needs of his kingdom, but rather for all of the wealth that he acclaimed.  I noticed as I walked through the darkened exhibit that many of the artifacts shed light on Egyptian belief and culture, but rarely did they reflect who Tutankhamen was. Those who buried him truly believed he would buy his way into the afterlife. How does that idea help the servant whose job it was to dig his tomb? 

In my lifetime I have known many types of gain. I have known financial gain and we have been most blessed to never had need of want. I have known housing gain. We have lived in many different sized homes. I can tell you the larger ones took more effort than they were worth, and caused me to choose between helping others or maintaining my wealth. I have known educational gain that has brought me the discipline to discern between truth and folly. I have known the gain of friendship. And this has been my greatest treasure. 

For in learning the godliness that Paul tried to teach Timothy I have learned the value of a true relationship holds a far greater worth than any book, any inanimate item, any amount of wealth, any amount of shelter. Why? 

Because in friendships and relationships we have community. In community we have sharing. In sharing we have security, and in security we have peace of eternal treasures. I believe eternity is not a destination. It is not a place where we all gather to sit and play out our rewards. I believe eternity comes with every smile, every gift of the spirit, every kind word, every good deed, and every act that extends one's soul out to help another. Learning to serve through contentment brings great peace. And peace of the soul is the greatest wealth known to man. 

Words and Phrases 

vs 3 wholesome words - words that teach goodness, faith, and lead us toward godliness 

vs 4 proud knowing nothing - pride blinds us from truth. pride blinds us from seeing how the desire for wealth of money causes us to disregard our respect for life. 

vs 4 Pride = little knowledge, doting questions, strife, angry words, envy, railings, evil, and evil surmising

vs 5 Pride = disputations, corrupt minds, no truth, lies, teaches gain is unto godliness, 

vs 7 - nothing - we came with no possessions and we leave with no possessions. Our souls can only carry the experiences that our lives give them. If we waste our time on earth with vain idolatry, at the time of our passing, our souls will be left wanting what they cannot have. 

vs 6  the greatest gain - to be content... to seek after experiences that will garner godliness within us- this is the greatest gain 

vs 9 they that will be rich - if we love money more than family, more than relationships, more than community, then when we have to choose weather to help another or to have our wealth, we choose our wealth. This wealth brings with it: temptation, snares, foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction .. and leads them to perdition. 

vs 10 love of money - how do  you tell if you love money too much? Do you think more of your wealth and gain than you do of service to those in your community? Do you choose work over relationships? Do you carve time out for work socials but forget your relationships? Does your job dictate how you spend your time? 

vs 11 Oh man of God -  flee from these things and follow what is right, examples of godliness, faithful moments, tender love, patience and meekness. For if you understand eternity, then you have no need for earthly gain. Your wealth comes in those you love and in your ability to bring them peace through truth.  vs 12 the good fight

vs 17 them that are rich - so it is okay to have wealth.. just be sure to temper it with contentment. 

don't be high minded (why? Because high mindedness tends to forget what it is to be without, or in need) 

vs 17 uncertain riches - riches and wealth are dependent upon the mindset of the community within which we live. If we decide that our symbol of wealth would be tin instead of gold, then our entire society would shift in both mind and custom. Economics is an uncertain science because it relies on the fallibility and whims of man. It is a psychological study based on the emotional state of man. I would say that is fairly uncertain. 

vs 18 them that are rich - should do good, find wealth in good works, share their wealth with those in need, communicate so that those in need have the ability to access what they need. 

vs 19 a good foundation - is not found in the wealth of Egyptian gods, nor in the wealth of nations, it is rather found in service, communication, sharing, and giving aid to those in need so that as a community of believers we can find the peace that comes from within. 

  

Where is my Goodness? Ecclesiastes 6 P

Ecclesiastes 6

Where is my Goodness?

Is it in the common-hood of man?

Does it dwell in my treasures,

Or in the honor of my name?

Where is my goodness?

Does it lie hidden in my wealth?

Or in the family of my hundred children?

If I live one hundred years will

I find my goodness?

Where is my goodness?

Does it come with my birth?

Does it leave me at death?

How will my name be remembered?

Where is my goodness?

If I look to the Sun

Will it be there?

Will it bring me rest?

Where is my goodness?

If I live one thousand years

And find myself with you

at that one place

Will I have found goodness?

Where is my goodness?

If I work all my days to feed my mouth

How do I fill my appetite, for goodness?

Where is my goodness?

Am I a fool if I know it not?

Am I a poorer man for not knowing

the walk of the living?

Where is my goodness?

Will my eyes see all that I have

And be content?

What will my desire seek?

Will it wander?

Where is my goodness?

Has it been named?

Has it been in man?

Or does my goodness come

from him that is mightier?

Where is my goodness?

For am I not but a shadow

If I cannot know from

whence my goodness comes?

Am I not but a shadow

If I cannot discern

goodness from vanity?

Where is my goodness?

With all my wealth?

With all my honor, and riches?

How will I give goodness

To whom shall be after me

If I have not goodness

Under the sun?

Goodness come from God. When I watch and play with my littlest grandchild I know that goodness comes from God. We are born with it. We choose our lives and weather or not we will die with it. Solomon saw that many of us are never content with the goodness in our lives. We always want more. We call it different things: ambition, drive, success, career, hobby etc. but the truth is we are merely feeding our vanity. We often have enough to live one day at a time. We have enough to share, but it is because of so many other "obscure things in our lives" that we forget to be content. We let our desires wander.

Words and Phrases

vs 1 - common among man - I believe discontent is very common among men. Once we have what we want we always want something more. Toys rarely last very long before we seek a newer model, a newer twist on an old need.

vs. 2 - all that he desireth - Solomon knew that the key to what we have in our lives is what we desire. Those who desire wealth usually find it. In this verse he wants us to understand that God will give us what we desire. Be careful for what you pray for because you might just get it. Then once you have it, you can not enjoy it "not power to eat". And then to make it all the more frustrating, we watch another enjoy what we have but cannot enjoy because they have desires that are appropriate. We can be wealthy and miserable or wealthy and full of joy.. It depends on what our ultimate desires in life are focused on.

vs 3 soul be not filled with good - We can have a long life, a large family, and wealth and if we don't know what good is, it will mean little to our name, our family, or our long life.

vs 5 he hath not seen the sun - He does not know the power, the warmth, the glory that the sun can bring to his life. He has not taken time to look up from his dreary work load to recognize from where his blessings, his food, and all he that he has comes from. He has not understood the goodness of God. How can we understood goodness in our lives if we have not understood that goodness comes from God.

vs 7 appetite is not filled - needs and wants again. We can have all our needs taken care of and still hunger for the appetite of our soul

vs 8 wise more than the fool? - spiritual knowledge and the belief that our spirits rule our bodies, not the other way around

vs 9 wandering of desire - this is a key phrase in this chapter and has to deal with our ability to be content with the sight of our eyes. We really cannot physically be responsible for more than we can see with our own eyes. So why do we obtain riches and then want more than we can see, hold, or care for?

vs 11 many things that increase vanity - There are so many things that tend to feed our hunger of uncontrolled desires. Whatever attends to our senses: sight, smell, taste, lust, touch, pride, etc... will serve to increase our vanity if it is used without goodness of intent.

vs 12 as a shadow - We are but shadows if we cannot separate out the good from the vanity in our life.

vs 12 - who can tell a man- who can tell the future and in knowing the future we understand the difference between what will be vain(without use in the future) and what will be remembered and of use to those who come after us.

Under the Sun Ecclesiastes 4 P

Ecclesiastes 4

Under the Sun

Hot and long are my days under the sun.

Oppressed without hope of comfort, I cry out.

He who holds power over my labor, casts us into

A demonic cycle where we,

My oppressor and I, face a hopeless struggle.

He replaces his fear of right with an impotent offer of solace.

I replace my comfort lost with the celebration of my dead

And a grievance for my unborn.

Under the sun,

A mirage of escape looms, Untouchable,

Masked in the pretense of a “right work”.

Success lends itself to envious strife and

Broken promises of rewards

That causes my contentment to fly away

With both hands full of emptiness.

Under the sun,

A fool, I languish so that I might fold my hands

And eat my own flesh.

Under the sun,

Learned, I strive for the envy of my neighbor

And the vanity of my success.

Under the sun

Alone I must trudge

with neither eye satisfied,

Always wondering

“For whom do I serve?”

Under the sun

Alone I face a sore travail

and taste not of the “good reward”

Reserved for the two

That lift one another,

Warm one another,

And offer a threefold cord.

Under the sun

I serve an old and foolish king

That turns away from humble counsel and

Fills his kingdom with desolate spirits

Who are unable to comprehend,

The quiet freedom, comfort and contentment

A poor and wise child could bring.

Under the Sun

Did Solomon sing,

A mournful yet beautiful hymn

To the lonely, the oppressed and even the fool

God's love wants only to comfort, quiet, befriend.

Linda Conkey Shaw July 4, 2010 Copyright

I actually thougth when I first read this chapter that it was going to be an easy blog.

It was not easy to comprehend. It was not easy to get. I had to read, and reread it. Finally it fell into place.

Solomon sees only evil "under the sun". He does not understand how any who live only for the day to day cycle of life find comfort, companionship, or contentment. He sees how the powers that oppress rob all of mankind from the hope of a better way. He sees how the powers that drive us to put success over relationships, over companionship bring empty wealth. He sees how kings (himself) finds nothing but arrogance, selfishiness, and power hungry people in his kingdom. He sees that life is not good this way.

I know that this is true. In my own life I have seen many who have travailed "under the sun" and found no real happiness. The corporate world makes the world go around, and down. It often looses its balance when it places profit, success and greed over the humane needs of feeling accepted, balanced and humble.

Words and Phrases

vs 1 all the oppressions.... the world is full of oppression. If someone cannot directly oppress you through work, they will seek to lure you into oppression through "evil designs" that cause you to become addicted to their product, etc.

vs 1 no comforter... The Holy Ghost is the first comforter to those that believe in Jesus Christ.

We need not have "no comfort" in this life. We only choose to not accept the comfort that was planned for us from the beginning.

vs. 2 I praised the dead.... so great is the cage of oppression that many who are caught into it celebrate their dead more than their own life. They praise those that made it through their trials. and greive for those who have yet to come. Life is not meant for this despair. Life is meant to have Joy.. Joy in the Journey.

vs 4. every right work... Solomon is going to now consider the travail's of man's labor. and

first he will look at "every right work" the successes that men have in their lives and what it brings them when they are not balanced.

vs 5. the fool, foldeth his hands. ... second solomon will look at the fool who refuses to work. He ends up eating himself .. when we don't prepare for the future and use wisdom to plan for our tomorrows we deceive ourselves into a false sense of security only to be surprised that we must eat up all of our resources. We should always plan prudently

vs 6. a favorite verse... A handful of quietness.. ... It is better to be content with a little than to have frustration with too much. There is greater joy in contentment. There is greater joy in understanding how to balance our wants with the needs of our spirits.

vs 7. vanity under the sun... another look at how we ply emptiness in our world.

vs 8. for whom do I labor? the lonely must labor all day and to no reward. to no satisfaction or contentment. They do not share their lives with any one so they must fall alone, sleep alone, be cold alone, and never understand that their pursuit of wealth does not bring them good rewards. There is no family, no friends, no rejoicing in hard work that serves itself.

vs 9 two are better than one... The Lord has taught me this.. two missionaries, two animals, two partners, two visiting teachers, two home teachers, two .. strength in pairs.

vs 10. for if they fall... safety, security, promise of help from those you serve.

vs 11 how can one be warm alone? the warmth of friendship. the warmth of togetherness and of sharing thoughts, feelings, love, hopes, dreams, tomorrows, laughter, etc.

vs 12 a threefold cord is not quickly broken. .. strength in numbers. don't go it alone

vs 13 who will no more be admonished... will I ever receive so much success, wealth, want, that I forget how to take counsel.

vs 16 shall not rejoice in him... who can not rejoice in the Lord God? Who cannot see the strength that faith in him will bring?

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