Where People Of God Come Together

 Devotions and Lessons
Building Relationships Through God's Love

​Scripture of the Week:
​
Psalm 92

Of David.

It is good to praise the LORD,
to sing hymns to Your name, O Most High,

To proclaim Your steadfast love at daybreak,
Your faithfulness each night

With a ten-stringed harp,
with voice and lyre together.

You have gladdened me by Your deeds, O LORD;
I shout for joy at Your handiwork.

How great are Your works, O LORD,
how very subtle Or “profound.” Your designs!

A brutish man cannot know,
a fool cannot understand this:

though the wicked sprout like grass,
though all evildoers blossom,
it is only that they may be destroyed forever.

But You are exalted, O LORD, for all time.
Surely, Your enemies, O LORD,
surely, Your enemies perish;
all evildoers are scattered.

You raise my horn high like that of a wild ox;
I am soaked in freshening oil.

I shall see the defeat of my watchful foes,
hear of the downfall of the wicked who beset me.

The righteous bloom like a date-palm;
they thrive like a cedar in Lebanon;

planted in the house of the LORD,
they flourish in the courts of our God.

In old age they still produce fruit;
they are full of sap and freshness,

attesting that the LORD is upright,
my rock, in whom there is no wrong.

















​
  • HOME
    • Lessons and Sermons
  • BIble Studies
  • Music
  • Refuge and Retreat Center
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact

7/25/2019

The Problem of Self-Indulgence

0 Comments

Read Now
 
In Ecclesiastes, the writer discusses many things of the world including wisdom itself only to conclude that it is all vanity, or temporary and worldly things that cannot be taken into the next life. Though he speaks of there being a time for everything under the sun that is just it, under the mortal sun which will pass away.
As God’s creation, we should be able to realize what is right and proper to be doing with our time while remembering that our time is borrowed. Many in this world make the most of it by living of the world only to lose everything material and gain nothing of the Spirit.  When someone gains much in the world and cares only for what pleases the individual all the while forgetting his/her origins and their faith, the person becomes lost in self-indulgence.

Let us read what Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 says about “The Vanity of Self-Indulgence” 

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

 Self-Indulgence is defined as: indulging one's own desires, passions, whims, etc., especially without restraint. There are many who are well known that suffer from this. Some have found themselves in deep water. Some are going to find themselves totally lost. All the money in the world cannot make one happy. Buying things that give temporary joy will break and get tossed away. Without restraint, many have indulged in sexual experimentation that will only lead to a false happiness, pain, and suffering without knowing true love. Some have taken a hard fall but have found the strength to rise while dropping out of the lime-light.

The problem of self-indulgence is a dangerous path to tread brothers and sisters. As good as it may feel, what use is it when you can no longer enjoy it yourself. Granted some would love to leave an inheritance for their children where they basically want for nothing but what happens when it runs dry or the skeletons of your past catch up with them. Even the smallest silver spoon cannot feed for very long. Though you may accomplish one thing that may help others, if you dabble in self-indulgences you will be more remembered for the bad things you did in life.

Reading through this passage, Solomon talks about the many accomplishments in his life and how he boasted of the riches that God had provided him. All of this is good until it is realized that it all really means nothing when death knocks. These gains turned to loss and trouble pursued his descendants.   

Do not indulge in the earthly pleasures gained through work Use them so that others may see God’s grace as you use the spiritual gifts to help others in their time of need. Jesus will take care of you as you have taken care of others. Feed others who hunger, give drink to those who thirst, and cloth those who are naked.

Brothers and sisters, take heed in the Words of Ecclesiastes as it speaks of the dangers of worldly pleasures and our iniquities. Look towards the Father to find the narrow path that leads to life everlasting. Pools of water dry up, trees and plants may wither away, the flesh fails but God’s Word remains. All other things are vanity, and there is nothing gained under the sun.
 
In God’s Loving Arms,
Rob, Servant of God

Share

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

Details

    Archives

    February 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Link to Retreat Center
    Blog Disclaimer:
    The messages on the blogs written on this page are within biblical adherence. Though the Scriptures listed in the blogs are directly from the Bible and other related religious writings the explanations and interpretations are in line with Biblical thinking as it relates to today’s world. The use of historical facts are to assist in the validity of the writings. The main writer of this blog site is an Ordained minister in one denomination though the views are related to all denominations so if something is said that does not fall in line with your denominational background, pray for personal discernment and understanding.

Location

Contact Us

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • HOME
    • Lessons and Sermons
  • BIble Studies
  • Music
  • Refuge and Retreat Center
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact