Is it idolatry?

Jeremiah 35:15

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Don't lay up for yourself treasure on earth or think about your worldly needs. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Be willing to suffer instead of enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season. Don't be a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. Don't seek gain or seek to be rich.

Is pleasure sin? Aren't the pleasures of this world good things that God has given to us to enjoy? He gives us, richly, all things to enjoy.

What's the difference between treasuring worldly things and enjoying the goodness of God?

How can we be content and fully enjoy even the good things of this world?

It is the difference between giving and receiving.

What good are the shallow, unsatisfying, sin-stained, physical things of this present world? They are earthen vessels. They will all be destroyed. But they can have treasure hidden inside of them. Everything is now deep instead of shallow, contenting instead of unsatisfying; instead of sinful, holy, and fully blissful and eternal. How?

How can I seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness? How can I set my heart on laying up and treasuring things in heaven? What use are all these earthen vessels besides to turn my eyes away from the Lord?

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1 Timothy 6:18

Give. That's the secret. Try it and see whether it's more blessed to give or to receive.

That's what these earthen vessels are for: entering into the presence of the Lord, and obtaining eternal pleasures and fullness of joy even in this present world today. Love the Lord and keep His commandments- which are not grievous, but rather more blessed than anything. Love one another. The Lord gives us these things not so that we can enjoy getting them, but so that we can give them to others, and fully enjoy Him.

Things are not to get! We can't richly enjoy either seeking or getting things. You won't ever get enough to satisfy yourself. If you trust Jesus, won't you give up everything you have today, and everything you receive?

At least give one cold drink to a little child. That will taste better than doing 100 times as much drinking yourself. First, take warning! You'll just be miserable, if you don't do it believing in Jesus- that He Is, and that He Is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Isn't it blessed when the Lord shows you that He Loves you by letting you hear someone's voice praying for you? Letting you hear hymns being sung? Letting you hear preaching? Giving you money, jobs, education, friends, and everything else?

It's much more blessed to Love the Lord back. Lift up your voice in prayer for others. Sing those joyful hymns. Teach others, and preach the gospel. Send gifts to the needy, work hard, and be a good friend to people.

I originally took these notes at 2005 05 25 0759.