ECCLESIASTES: WORDS OF WISDOM FOR LABOR DAY

I decided to do a Bible search on the word “labor.” When I got to Ecclesiastes and read what Solomon had to say about work and labor, I knew I had the Bible reading I needed.

As Solomon meditates on the subject of labor, he is in turmoil and struggles to understand its role in life. He starts out disheartened by the emptiness it brings. In the end he sees that labor does have some value, but that value is not in the material things that money can buy.

I will list in succession all the verses from Ecclesiastes that has to do with work and toil. Pay attention to the end of my reading to see what Solomon decides IS the most important thing.

(Eccl 2:10-11)  I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.  Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

(Eccl 2:20-25)  So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.  For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it.  This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.  What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?  All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.  A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without HIM, who can eat or find enjoyment?

(Eccl 4:4)  And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. (Today we call that “keeping up with the Joneses.”)

(Eccl 4:6)  Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

(Eccl 6:2)  God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.” (God gives man all his possessions, but God does not mean for them to provide fulfillment in a person’s life for they are not what is most important.)

And the final verse that tells us what is most important:

(Eccl 9:9)  Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun--all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

 God’s message to us, through Solomon, is that labor is important and from it we are able to gain possessions and honor, but family comes first.

--Becky Wall

AN EPIDEMIC OF ILL-GOTTEN GAIN

AN EPIDEMIC OF ILL-GOTTEN GAIN

Greed is running in epidemic proportions in the United States and across the world. Petty thieves, burglars and even Brink’s truck robbers are taking a back seat to the banking and Wall Street scams and scoundrels who have put the nation in financial peril. The economy of our nation also threatens the economy of other nations. 

Greed abounds when the moral structure collapses, which is the current state of the nation. Our moral structure is collapsing because our spiritual foundation is crumbling. Or maybe I should say it is being disassembled brick by brick, stone by stone. God has been thrown out of the schools and government. His laws have been overruled, such as with “Thou Shalt Not Kill” (abortion) and “No man shall lie with another man…,” a reference to homosexuality. God’s plan for marriage between a man and a woman is being thwarted by those who have joined forces to change His rules. With no moral structure, the love of money takes over. The love of it is, after all, the root of all evil.

 

Some say socialism is the answer. Others say socialism is stealing from what one person has earned to give to another. I am not in favor of socialism, but I consider it a problem when the abundance a person has “earned” has been or is being gained by oppressing the workers. A worker is worthy of his wages and his wages should be fair. What man has ever gotten rich without the help of his workers? So my view of socialism is the skimming off of the wages of others.

 
Socialism cannot succeed when the people cannot succeed. Incentives and competition are necessary to keep the economy thriving. The concept of supply and demand can only take us so far. Success under Capitalism is measured by gain, but that gain should not be ill-gotten gain which comes at the expense of robbing others of their fair wages. The Bible warns against ill-gotten or unjust gain in Proverbs 22:16 - "Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty."

 
I’ve often wondered how the ultra rich can sleep peacefully knowing that because they are paying them less than their worth, some of their workers cannot pay their bills, cannot feed their families, and have no means of paying for medical care. Yes, the rich give to charities, but oppressing their workers cancels out the good that giving to charities does. There’s only one thing worse, and that is to do neither. I cannot see the logic in a rich man giving to charities when his own workers are financially suffering -- the very workers who helped him achieve his riches. And to add insult to injury, the poor are bad-mouthed and shunned.

 
I have noticed that when the economy takes a downturn or if a business is not doing well, the loss is often made up for by taking money out of the pocket of the “little guy” or by eliminating his job altogether. The guy(s) at the top cannot bear the thought of having less. Habakkuk 2:9 says, “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!" The employees in top positions are unwilling to give up their large salaries for fear of financial ruin but they should also consider those in low positions as well as themselves. They fear a greater ruin. Any business loss should be shared on a pro-rated basis according to rank. Any business gain should also be shared the same way.

Socialism would not need to be discussed if the redistribution or sharing of money was done willingly by each individual, each business, and by the church through giving or tithing. Yes, even the church is sometimes guilty. It sometimes ignores its poor. The church may have a food pantry, a soup kitchen, or a clothing giveaway, but there are those in the church who have other unmet needs. 

If the church itself is poor, giving of oneself through labor by an individual or individuals in the church will often meet those unmet needs. That amounts to tithing of your time and talents. If an elderly widow cannot afford to make repairs on her house, the donation of one’s services will save the same amount of money that the church would have had to donate if the church family had the money. In that situation, the woman saves money when an expense is eliminated, which is the same as receiving money. Ideally, every individual with a skill would donate 10 percent of their time to a person in need of the services they are able to provide.

 
God allows for great financial gain. Abraham was rich and so was Joseph after he became the second most powerful man in the Egyptian nation. David and Solomon were both rich. In fact, Solomon was probably the richest king ever. Though God allowed individuals to keep their riches, he also required them to consider the poor and to respond with generosity.

God wants us to learn to give. Giving stimulates the heart. It requires caring, compassion, consideration, sacrifice and love, all of which build character. Giving helps the Christian stay focused. Self-centeredness cannot rule the soul when generosity is present. Hard-heartedness is avoided when self is sacrificed. Giving provides an emotional reward and builds our relationship with Christ. We are an example to others with our giving. Givers earn honor and respect and make the world a better place. There is much truth in “It is better to give than receive.”

I Timothy 6:17-19 says "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Ezekiel 22:12
In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Proverbs 1:10-19

My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.

GIDEON: FROM A ZERO TO A HERO

FROM A ZERO TO A HERO

(Judges 6 & 7)

God’s people turned away from Him;

They were known as the Israelites.

So God allowed them to be,

Oppressed by the Midianites.

The Israelites called to God for help,

While hiding in mountain caves.

The Midianites were stealing their goods,

And treated them worse than slaves.

The Lord needed a leader,

Whose strength was not of might.

He would ask the man He chose,

To instigate a fight.

An angel spoke to Gideon,

While he was threshing wheat.

He called him a Mighty Warrior,

Tho’ unlikely as one could meet.

Gideon stuttered with fear and doubt,

He knew God needed a hero.

He first thought, “I’m not the man,

For I am but a zero.”

“My clan is considered the least,

And I am the least of the least.

I am not the one to ask,

To slay the men from the east.”

The Lord said “I will be with you;

We will do it together.”

Gideon was so amazed,

One could knock him down with a feather.

So Gideon said, “OK, I’ll go,

Just tell me where and when.”

Then Gideon gathered an army,

Of thirty-two thousand men.

But that was way too many,

At least it was in God’s eyes,

For when God is with an army,

It’s not about the size.

The Lord instructed Gideon,

To narrow the army down.

Ten thousand men were brave enough,

The rest returned to town.

But there was still too many,

So God put them through a test.

Three hundred passed unwittingly,

The Lord sent home the rest.

Armed with trumpets and jars,

And torches hidden within,

They were prepared for battle —

Just Gideon and 300 men.

The enemies they would face,

Numbered like grains of sand.

But an army of one is enough,

If the battle is in God’s hand.

Gideon saw the opposing army,

And lost his confidence.

But he was soon to get it back,

Not by chance, but by Providence.

He overheard a dream being told,

While he spied on the enemy nation.

That Gideon would win the war,

Was the enemy’s revelation.

So Gideon found his strength again,

And his army set forth at night.

With trumpets, jars and torches,

Locked and loaded, they were ready to fight.

They followed God’s instructions,

And in unison gave a shout.

When they broke the jars and blew their horns,

Pandemonium broke out.

The enemies slew each other that day,

God’s army took care of the rest.

The least of the least defeated,

The so-called best of the best.

God was given the glory,

Why they won, there was no doubt.

For they had won a major war,

With a horn, a jar, a torch, and a shout.

Becky Wall

THE MEASURE OF RICH VS. POOR

   My family did not have much money, but we were rich nevertheless. We were not poor because my father was lazy. He worked long, hard hours at jobs that were hazardous and physically demanding. But for many years he received low pay. Low pay plus a large family equals poor. God blessed us with other riches, though, that monetary things can never measure up to.

   My parents had four small children over a span of as many years. Even so, they were willing to take in my two young cousins who had become homeless. Later, two more babies entered the family. Mom and Dad were poor in cash, but rich in compassion and love.

   We learned to have fun naturally and did not rely on the artificial fun that comes from things that money can buy, “canned fun,” or worldly activities. My mother played the piano by ear, so we would often sing church songs around the piano. She and “the twins” each had a great sense of humor, so we never lacked for entertainment. We were rich in spirit.

   Though some treated us as if we were bad and looked down on us because we were poor, we were good people – Christian people. God carried us through several traumas and much adversity, including a car wreck that involved all ten of us and in which my mother’s shoulders were crushed when she was thrown from the car. That is a story in and of itself. Through all of our trials, God was our hope and our sustainer. We were rich in God’s love and care.

   The poor are not to be despised. Christians are to look at no one from a worldly point of view (II Cor. 5:16). Our commission is to help the poor, including the fatherless, the widows, and the aliens who have no one to help them. Paul told Timothy in one of his letters to command those who have worldly riches “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (I Timothy 6:18).

   In order for Christians to share their greatest riches with the poor, we must first try to understand them. We must go where they go, do what they do, and feel what they feel. If we really want to make a difference in their lives, we will share the riches of our time, energy, and expertise. A hand-up is worth more to them than a handout. We can also point them in the right direction and offer them encouragement. But bear in mind, the poor can increase our riches, too, for there is as much or more to learn from them as they do from us.

   We can be confident that God can restore the poor. He has a special place in His heart for them God chose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom. He promised those who love him (James 2:5).To those who say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing,” He says, “realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17. So the question is, who is really rich and who is really poor?

--Becky Wall

2 "Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all." Provrbs 22:2

MISSION ABORTED

(Based in part on Psalm 139:13-15, Jer. 1:5)

I was formed in my mother’s womb,

Fearfully and wonderfully made.

From the moment of my conception,

My groundwork was carefully laid.

Disguised in white, Satan entered the scene.

My mom listened to his voice.

He whispered, “Kids are a burden,”

Then offered her a choice.

My mission from God went unfulfilled,

His plan for me was thwarted.

Not one of my days came to be,

For my mother had me aborted.

Mom now grieves her decision,

While Satan gloats from his lair.

Though I am in heaven, safe in God’s arms,

Mom’s arms have been left bare.

Becky Overturf Wall

DISPOSABLE MATES AND THROWAWAY CHILDREN

DISPOSABLE MATES AND THROWAWAY CHILDREN

“The thrills are gone, our marriage is work,

Why did your good looks fade?

I will just dispose of you;

For another I will trade.”

“Nag, nag, nag, that’s all she does,

What right has she to complain?

I will just divorce her;

That should end my pain.”

“What’s that you say? You are with child;

Have you lost your wit?

How could you let that happen?

Let’s just get rid of ‘it.’”

Though spouses are disposed of,

And children thrown away.

There's One who will retrieve them;

We'll see Him on Judgment Day.

Becky  Wall

Note: Wrong choices, also known as sin, should be confessed along with repentance and God promises to forgive. Repentance involves turning your life around, changing your thinking and behavior to be more in line with what God wants.

"'The man who hates and divorces his wife,' says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'does violence to the one he should protect,' says the Lord Almighty." It is not clear what the word "violence" entails in this verse. It may be what we call "passive aggression" today. No blows are thrown but deep pain is committed mentally and/or emotionally by the one who should be protecting her from such pain.

SNATCHED FROM THE FLAMES

SNATCHED FROM THE FLAMES

(Inspired by Jude 1:23)

I stood at an open door to hell;

The entrance was brightly lit.

Lured to the room filled with treasures;

Like a fish to a hook, I bit.

I went another step further.

Satan beckoned me in.

“I’ll give you whatever you want,”

He said with a charming grin.

I knew I should be wary of him,

But the treasures looked so inviting.

He promised me I could be rich;

The concept was so exciting.

He pointed to several other doors,

On the far side of his lair.

When he stood, his shadow loomed over me,

Then he hissed, “Come, I’ll escort you there.”

I wanted just a peek or two,

Behind the door labeled “Fame.”

On the way I chose some treasures;

I was hooked, I would not be the same.

I opened the door and slowly walked through;

My name up in lights I could see.

There was a stage with a microphone,

And a crowd was beckoning me.

I strutted upon the stage to sing;

I blew kisses before I began.

When thick, black smoke filled the air,

Toward the door labeled “Power” I ran.

I entered the door and slammed it shut.

Ironically I said, “Cool!”

Therein was a throne with my name engraved,

And a kingdom for me to rule.

I got drunk on all my power,

Til again the fires began.

My little kingdom went up in smoke;

Towards the entrance I quickly ran.

All I could think of was wife and home,

For behind me rained sulfur and fire.

The door was barred, so there I collapsed.

Satan is such a big liar.

I woke from my dream all drenched in sweat;

I could still feel my heart in a race.

My wife looked up from her prayers to see,

The tears on my fear-stricken face.

Now I’m content with what I have;

I praise God with daily Hosannahs.

I have more respect and love for my wife,

Who still wonders at my singed pajamas.

Becky Wall

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire... Jude 1:22-23 

TIME PASSED AWAY

TIME PASSED AWAY

As a child I lay on the cool, green grass;

The gentle breeze blew through my hair.

I had no worries or troubles.

I longed for Time to stop there.

But Time marched on with a steady beat,

And I grew into a young miss.

I sang and danced and hung with my friends;

I enjoyed my youthful bliss.

But when I became an adult,

Time took me to a harder life;

I learned to find joy and happiness,

Amidst the world and its strife.

I watched my children playing,

Near my husband in his chair.

He was reading the Bible to them;

I wanted Time to stop there.

But Time just kept on going,

Until I found I was old.

My children hovered ’round my bed.

Time had taken its toll.

“Just give me this day with my children, Time.
Let me stay a little bit longer."
Though Time ignored my final pleas,
I suddenly became stronger.

My pain had left; I felt such peace,
Then I heard a trumpet sound.
Christ held out His hand to me,
And the angels all gathered around.

One unfurled his wing to point,
To a mansion I knew would be mine.
I walked to my home on streets of gold,
In a robe and a crown sublime.

Time, God's servant, brought me here;
He took me to heaven's door.
Now I will live for eternity,
And Time shall be no more.

Becky Wall

JONAH: IN THE BELLY OF A REALLY BIG FISH

JONAH IN THE BELLY OF A REALLY BIG FISH

The word of the Lord came to Jonah;

I want you to go and preach.

Go to Ninevah and see,

How many of them you can reach.

So Jonah paid the travel fare,

And sailed in the other direction.

But he was soon to discover,

He no longer had God’s protection.

The Lord was upset with Jonah,

So He sent a great wind on the sea.

Jonah had run away from God,

But God he could not flee.

While the sailors cried to their gods in fear,

Jonah was fast asleep,

Unaware of the trouble he’d caused,

For he was sleeping so deep.

“Get up,” cried the sailors, “and call on your god;

We’re sinking faster and faster.”

They then drew lots to determine,

Who caused this near disaster.

The lot fell upon Jonah,

So they questioned, “Who are you?

Who and where are your people?"

He answered, “I am Hebrew.”

I worship the Lord God of heaven,

Who made the land and the sea.

“What have you done” they asked him then,

“That your God caused this storm to be?”

The sea got rougher and rougher;

They wondered what they should do.

“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said.

"It’s my fault this storm came on you."

The seamen tried to row to land,

But the waves grew wilder and wilder.

So they quickly hurled Jonah overboard.

At once, the winds became milder.

Jonah was instantly caught,

‘tween the devil and the deep blue sea.

Tangled in seaweed, he cried,

“There’s a whale of a fish after me!”

Down its slippery tongue Jonah went;

He began to toss and careen.

Though it was dark, he saw the light,

In the belly of the live submarine.

There was Jonah in the fish’s tummy,

(It was usually the other way ‘round.)

He had plenty of time to think,

And wonder to where he was bound.

Three days and nights in his think tank,

On a waterbed he rested.

The folly of ignoring his calling,

Was the only thing digested.

Jonah remembered the Lord, then prayed,

It was then God’s plan unfurled.

For the second time in three long days,

From his resting place Jonah was hurled.

With a splat he landed on dry land,

And proceeded to obey the Lord.

In Ninevah he had success,

Except with a stubborn gourd.

Becky L. Wall

PSALM 139: ALL OF MY BORN DAYS

(PSALM 139)

O LORD, you have searched me and know me,

You know every move I make.

You perceive my thoughts from afar,

You’re concerned for my soul’s sake.

You’re familiar with all my ways.

‘Fore I speak, you know what I’ll say.

You are there -- behind and before;

Your hand is on me each day.

 Such knowledge is just too wonderful,

Too lofty for me to attain.

Who am I that you think of me,

Even while the earth you sustain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

If I go to the heavens, you are there.

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I sleep in the depths, you are there.

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If on the far side of the sea,

Your right hand will hold me fast;

Everywhere your hand will guide me.

If I say, "Darkness will hide me,”

No matter what I do,

The night will shine like the day,

For darkness is as light to you.

You created my inmost being;

You knit me in my mother's womb.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

In your heart I have my own room.

When I was made in the secret place,

It was you who formed my frame.

I was woven in the depths of the earth;

For that, I praise your name.

Your eyes saw my unformed body,

Before one of my days came to be.

My days were written in your book;

You’ve always known about me.

Your thoughts are precious to me, O God!

Like the grains of sand by each sea.

How vast is the sum of them!

And yet you think of me.

Test me and know my own thoughts;

Search me and know my heart.

See if I am offending you,

And may we never part.

Becky Wall