Money verses Wealth

I have written about money and wealth before. This time I want to compare two seemingly contradictory statements in the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 says that “money is a protection.” In contrast, Proverbs 18:11 states: “The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; It is like a protective wall in his imagination.” How can money be a protection and yet that protection be only a fake imagination?

I intentionally only partially quoted Ecclesiastes. The whole verse reads “Wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.” While money may be able to buy medical aid, it cannot prevent us from dying. We cannot save ourselves or anyone else from death. Really, monetary wealth can literally disappear overnight. But the one who has gained an appreciation for having a solid relationship with their creator can result in true peace of mind that no one can rob away from us. Even if we die, we do so in full confidence that Jehovah can raise us back to life and do away with death forever.

So money does have benefits—it helps us provide an honest living for ourselves and families; affords us the opportunity to help others; provides for wholesome recreation, and much more. But gaining money, especially unnecessary “wealth” is not something to pursue ahead of our relationship with our Creator.

Recall The Love You Had At First

Do you remember when you first learned the Bible’s wonderful hope for the future, the heartwarming love that God has for mankind, and experienced the true international brotherhood? Do you remember how you felt invigorated and gained a newfound love for life? Maybe now it has been a while. Now you are in a groove of daily living as a Christian and maybe gotten a little bored? Being in a groove can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Consider the old vinyl records that played music so many decades ago. For the needle to stay in the groove is exactly what it was supposed to do. For the needle to skip over tracks (grooves) was damaging to the precious records and irritating to the human ear. But sweet music came when the needle stayed faithfully in the groove.

But staying in the groove was not always what the listener wanted. Sometimes the listener wanted to skip ahead so they would gingerly lift the arm and gently set it on the track of choice. In today’s world, DJs love to take a turn table and brutally move it back and forth for special effects. In this case the music is not as important as the effect. Still, the needle faithfully does what the user wants.

Following the illustration, the path (groove) of Christian loyalty can be likened to a needle that follows the groove and faithfully “plays” the Kingdom message without wavering. However, at times changes can jazz up our lives. Changing the “tune” from “house to house” to witnessing in business areas, rural areas, areas less worked, foreign lands and other situations can be like the DJ that gets everyone (our minds, hearts, emotions, and more) excited and rejuvenated.

But coming back to the idea of the feeling we first had when we realized what a treasure we had found. We enjoyed learning. We loved the Bible discussions and having our questions answered. It was as wonderful as a blind man seeing for the first time. Can even a person once blind take their sight for granted? It is possible. After a long time of seeing, such a person may become over confident and not paying attention to where they walk. But when they first gained their sight, they marveled as they took in all they could. Just like that person, after having known God, the Bible and Christian living for a while, it has happened that believers fall into a rut. Just like the formerly blind person who needs to recall how precious sight is, we may need to remind ourselves how precious our spiritual sight is. How?

One way is to regain a love of learning. There is so much in the Bible that is NOT covered as frequently as many main Bible topics are at Christian meetings. For example, just recently I was reading Jude 11 wherein Jude mentions Cain, Balaam, and Korah. Have you ever wondered why those three specific men? I did. Here is some personal observations I made about them. Would you like to rejuvenate your love of learning? Start reading the Bible daily. If you read just 15 minutes every day, you could easily finish the whole Bible in less than 2 years. The schedule I set for myself is a bit more aggressive. But don’t just read it. Make notes about things you read that you do not understand. Then research them. Use them as conversation pieces to see what others may have learned about them. Yes, learning will invigorate you in ways you may have forgotten.

A second way to invigorate your love of the Bible and Christian life is to find someone else to teach it to. I can pretty much guarantee you that as you teach someone else, they will come up with questions and phrase things in ways you never considered before. Maybe when you first learned the point they are inquiring about, it was a non-issue for you – you just accepted it. But now that you’ve been challenged to explain it, you realize you didn’t understand it clearly enough to convince someone who does have an issue with it. When you find the answer and successfully explain it, you have taught not only your student but yourself as well.

Taking all these actions will help you recall “the love you had at first.”

Is God Aloof, Frightening and Impersonal?

Imagine a large, auditorium-sized classroom where the instructor is a mere speck on a platform way up front. He uses a projection screen so people could see him and his whiteboard. He also used a sound system that made his voice boom. Now imagine entering the personal study (room) of a respected professor/scholar who is known not only for his academic knowledge but also for his kindly patience and mentoring manner of teaching. Which would you prefer?

Those that really don't appreciate learning would probably choose the first option because they could hide themselves away and get lost in the crowd and not have to do anything. However those that appreciate knowledge and truly want to learn would likely go for the second option. The benefits of a comfortable study room and a dedicated, approachable instructor are way too valuable to pass up.

Although some might readily see a similarity between a large class auditorium and some of the larger church buildings that seat hundreds if not thousands, my focus is on the instructor. Why?

Many view God as being aloof and impersonal. They read passages in the Hebrew/Aramaic scriptures (many know these as the “Old Testament”) and read about God speaking from heaven in an ominous voice and conclude their impressions are correct. But think back to the auditorium instructor or even large congregations or churches -- can you blame them for piping a booming sound system? How else would they reach all those in attendance? Now, think of the situation where the nation of Israel was being lead out of Egypt to their eventual “promised land.” God was readily willing to communicate with this large crowd (passages seem to indicate that there were more than a million people in that group) so they all could hear him. It was the crowd that grew fearful and designated Moses as an intermediator. However, it was never God’s desire to be perceived as unapproachable. How do I know?

A pivotal scripture is something Jesus told his followers: “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” Now, Jesus was not saying that he WAS/IS the Father. Rather that knowing Jesus was as good as having met God himself. Why? Jesus himself again answers that question: I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative, only what I see the Father doing (paraphrased). (John 5:19; 14:9) So what example of relationships did Jesus indicate that he learned from his Father? Even though Jesus endured arrogant defiance and rejection from the greater number within his nation, he mentioned how tender his feelings were toward the nation as whole, indicating that he wanted to gather them together protectively like a hen gathers its chicks.

King David was one who wrote several of the Psalms (songs) recorded in the Bible. Notice how warmly he felt about God: You are my God of salvation. In you I hope all day long. Additionally, the prophet Isaiah characterized God as wanting to ‘take us by the hand’ like a loving, caring father would with a small child. Even after God gave the nation some needed disciple, still he referred to himself as a “grand instructor” that wanted nothing more than to give life sustaining guidance so that we humans can enjoy a fulfilling, enriched life.

So that brings us back to the kindly professor. Our Grand Instructor, our God, is very much that way. He is willing to give us individual, personal attention. All we need to do is follow his instruction. How? Read the following link, starting at paragraph 9 under the heading “How Can We Walk With God?” (I am not saying that there were not times when God felt the circumstances deemed it necessary to be stern. Even a loving parent chooses to be stern when needed.)

Divisive Arrogance

Jude, starting at verse 8 thru the end, is speaking of those who slyly speak against others who are obviously approved by God and their direction and decisions that are obviously being blessed.

Instead of cooperatively supporting those approved by God, like Cain they allow jealousy to grow in their hearts and then they assault their brothers, even if only verbally. Finally, when the damage is done, they take an aloof attitude, in effect arrogantly stating "am I my brother's keeper?"

Like Balaam, whom Jude said was looking for a reward, such men seek authority and recognition in the congregation as a selfish reward to be grasped, at the risk and expense of wholesome unity and spirituality of everyone affected.

Like Korah, who challenged Moses' rightful leadership, those who promote their own ways as better and oppose direction given by those whom God is blessing, demonstrate that they are actually working against God Himself. Indeed they are "despising authority." (vS8) It would be a different situation if these turned apostate and went off to form their group. Instead, they seek to subvert the congregation by remaining in it.

In all these cases, those who act like that would have done themselves a favor if they had only conducted themselves like Jesus who, verse 9, left the matter in God's hands. Yet in that instance Jesus would have been 100% correct in setting Satan straight. In contrast, none of our brothers are Satan, so how much more careful we need to be when we feel some indignation over a perceived wrong. Regardless of how wrong or right our view is, arrogance, stubbornness, and insulting words are not the answer. 
Now this is not to say that we cannot express our honest viewpoint just not in arrogance or at the expense of our brother's dignity. Nor should it be something that we talk around to others, spreading dissension in the congregation. If we truly have a problem with a person, we should first approach them alone. But to spread negative talk is exactly what Jude referred to as "rocks under the water" (vs.12). Such rocks in the ocean could completely tear a ship apart. We don't want our words, attitudes, or actions to tear the congregation apart.

Although in context verse 12 was talking about prideful divisive forces in the congregation, in grander application this would apply to anything that could tear apart a congregation, especially cunning and premeditated motives. 

To reduce The effect our imperfect speech can have on others, remember the carpenters saying:  "measure twice, cut once." Indeed, think carefully and then measure out your words slowly. Address the issue, but cut short before insulting your brother or becoming a divisive, corrosive agent in the congregation.

Raking Fire To Our Chest

In the broadest scope of the illustration mentioned at Proverbs 6:27, 28, this is talking about desires and choices we make that can be harmful to our moral and spiritual nature. This is especially so in reference to subjecting our minds and hearts to sexual enticements.

What is the fire we rake in when we start thinking sexual thoughts? Paul answers that by stating it is the fire of being “inflamed with passion.” The "burning of the garment" is the damaged relationship with our Creator, now having damaged our "adornment" as a clean person. (Now before I continue, I want to be frank in acknowledging that many people feel morals and self-control are old and out-dated notions. If you are one of those, there is no need to read further. This was written for those that recognize the value of morals.) So how does a person become “inflamed with passion”?

Most young men work this out by resorting to masturbation. Many young men even resort to fornication. For those who aspire to higher standards and want to please God, how does a person quelch these flames of passion? To have a flame, you need oxygen, fuel and heat. In symbolic terms, the oxygen and fuel are closely related. They both constitute whatever it is that feeds our passion. But for the sake of splitting it out, lets say the fuel is like material. So the fuel is what we subject and expose our senses to--the media, either in printed or digital form. The air that hits that material is our imagination. Finally, the heat is the arousal of passion in us. Put all those together and you have a person that is “raking fire to his chest.”

So how does one break the cycle? Just as in the fire triangle, one or more of the elements must be removed--before the flame ignites. For those that want to heed the Bible’s counsel to “deaden” immoral sexual desires, we first need to gain wisdom that only God can give us. This will help us appreciate that anytime we see anything that can fuel our passion, we turn our eyes and ears away from it. Next, we don’t allow our imagination “to go there.” We learn to control our minds and hearts. Reducing those first two elements will greatly help to reduce the natural heat that is inborn in all of us. Not to be forgotten is the power of prayer.

Not Perfect Yet

Back in October 2013 I posted an illustration about planting a garden. I recounted it as best as I could remember it. After reflection I realized it needed some refining. Speaking in literal terms, regardless of what you intentionally plant in a garden, weeds will grow. It is just a fact of life. That is why gardening requires more than just planting. It requires maintenance and regular attention.

This is true also In an illustrative way. We plant a seed or root stock when we start to really apply what we learn from the Bible. Initially, we may work the ground of our hearts and minds to get them ready to accept the seed of truth. That is to say, we make a commitment to learn about God and His word, The Bible. Then the seed starts to grow as both we ourselves and others begin to recognize that God’s Word is having a real, observable effect on us. It has affected change for the better in us. But just as an initial planting requires watering, we also need to constantly water ourselves by daily reading the Bible. The area of the new planting also requires weeding to prevent the new plant from being choked out. Just like that literal plant, we continue to be surrounded by evil that can choke our spiritual aspirations. There is also our imperfect human nature that tugs at our desires. It is then no wonder that Paul wrote “Not that I have already received it or am already made perfect, but I am pressing on to see if I may also lay hold on that for which Christ Jesus selected me.” Phil.3:12

Yes, we are far from perfect after our initial acceptance of God in our lives. We need to both nourish ourselves spiritually and “keep working out [y]our own salvation with fear and trembling.”

So to restate the illustration:

If you plant a rose, you will get a rose, along with some weeds that you will constantly have to pull.

If you plant weeds, you will never get a rose, just weeds.

If you plant nothing, you still get weeds because in the absence of positive effort to improve your spiritual life, you will still end up with disapproval from God and Jesus.

Calling Inventors -- Car Phone Mounts

I'm breaking my trend of scripture commentary to cite a frustrating issue with phone mounts for cars. If you are a school looking to invent in order to fund yourselves, a home hobbiest that knows how to fabricate without it looking ugly, or a designer looking to make a name for yourself, please read....

Problem

All of the solutions available on the net (I checked page after page on Amazon) have various drawbacks. One of the biggest being poor quality materials that easily break. I have also noted from my own (negative) experiences in buying these things that regardless of whether it attaches to the car with sticky silicon, adhesive, suction cups, or anything else, within less than one hour the device loses its grip. Sunlight, heat, stresses on dash from turning, all of those are suspect as culprits as well as bad and cheap product design.

At the other end, where the phone attaches, is another whole problem. Sudden stops, starts, turns, etc., all affect whatever design I've tried. The phone either drops out of its hold or goes flying somewhere in the car.

Besides cheap plastic, here are other issues I’ve noted: Making anything out of black-colored floppy silicon is a VERY BAD idea. Making the part that grips the phone loop over to the front of the phone could potentially cause stress marks on the front glass.

Add my personal experience to a multitude of bad reviews on Amazon for just about every product-solution for phone mounts and what you have is a huge opportunity to make something worthwhile and make money. I wish I had the tools, knowledge, and resources to do it myself.

Ideas On Solutions

Solution must have sufficient counter-weight to lay on dashboard without sliding or raising up when attaching phone or from force of turns, stops and acceleration. (Perhaps attaching the holder to a universal dashboard mat (cover) would be one idea.)

Telescoping so that you can bring it into touchscreen finger reach without awkward stretching

Height adjustable from above the horizontal plane of where the device sits to below that plane.

The telescoping arm should be able to pan from side to side.

Final joint is a ball joint allowing angle adjustments and full rotation.

All joints should lock in place and, especially for the phone, have a quick-release.

The materials used should be strong enough that the weight of the phone does not cause the whole unit to sag over time. (I have experiences where the phone was set at a comfortable position but everything from the potholes in the road to heat from the sun affected the unit and the phone sagged so that I couldn't see it without raising it up.)

By the way: In California windshield mounts are illegal. Not sure what other states have laws affecting the design. The design should also not affect full & clear forward visibility nor block the rear-view mirror.