Working with your Hands is still a Virtue

King Solomon, believed to be the wisest man who ever lived, had much to say in his proverbs about the rewards of labor and the consequences of laziness.

“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Proverbs 10:4

“The lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing.” Proverbs 20:4

“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler…”
Proverbs 24:30-34

“She (the virtuous wife) seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands…she stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle…” Proverbs 31:13, 19

The major thrust of these 3,000 year old proverbs is that laziness, or slothfulness, leads to poverty. Several of the Apostle Paul’s teachings in the New Testament build on these basic precepts. In fact Paul states that it is an individual responsibility to earn one’s own way and not depend on the support of others, or in contemporary terms, the state. His teachings echo those of King Solomon.

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.” Acts 20:33-34

“To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands…” I Corinthians 4:11-12

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good…” Ephesians 4:28

“…but we urge you, brethren…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands…that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” I Thessalonians 4:10-12

Paul’s thoughts on the subject of working with one’s own hands are summarized in the following:

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you…for even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now…we command…that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” II Thessalonians 3:7-12

In the above passage the word ‘disorderly’ is from the Greek atakteo which means in part to neglect one’s duties.

Paul makes the argument that one should not depend on someone else to provide for the daily necessities of life if he is able to work and earn his own provisions. Paul goes on to state that when one doesn’t work idle time provides the opportunity to become a busybody which is highly frowned upon in the scriptures. No where does Paul suggest that it is a ‘right’ to have such provisions, rather he states repeatedly that those who are able to work should do so in order to provide for themselves as well as assist those in need who cannot work. In other words, sharing with the needy should be acts of individual and voluntary charity.

The Apostle Paul practiced what he preached and worked with his hands as a tentmaker by trade to support himself and his ministry.

“So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.” Acts 18:3

During the Apostle Paul’s time his teaching on working with one’s hands was partially directed to the Greeks who thought it below one’s dignity to perform common labor. Sadly even today there are many individuals and well meaning parents who feel the same way. It is widely thought that a sign of ‘success’ is to be able to earn a good living without being involved in demeaning activities which might dirty one’s hands. It is not uncommon today to hear an unemployed person state that they would rather draw unemployment compensation than perform menial work or manual labor.

To earn a living and create wealth is an honorable endeavor, however, the desire and attempt to accumulate wealth in excess is not honored.

“And having food and clothing…we should be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation…For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” I Timothy 6:8-10

Also it is important to consider the means by which one attempts to accumulate wealth. Dubious means may trigger redistribution.

“One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor.” Proverbs 28:8

“Wealth gotten by vanity (emptiness, transitory) shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor will increase.” Proverbs 13:11

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” Proverbs 13:22

Now consider how different several major fiscal policies at the macro level would look like today if these basic scriptural principles were applied. For example such contemporary issues as taxation, entitlements, redistribution of wealth, manufacturing priorities, and many others might be handled totally differently if Biblical precepts were employed than at present. These are just a few areas where progressivism has left its mark.

Perhaps the Bible still has more practical teachings than we realize.

Her Name is Whitney

There is a young couple named Sean and Sheyenne, ‘Shey’ to her friends. Shey recently entered her third trimester of pregnancy carrying a very special girl child named Whitney. One of the reasons Whitney is so special is that she has a genetic disorder called Triploidy which means that Whitney has an extra set of chromosomes. The vast majority of such children die in the womb during the early months of pregnancy. Very few infants with this condition survive to full term. Of those that do, most are stillborn and those that are born alive usually die shortly after birth due to severe defects. And there are many such instances where the parents choose to terminate the pregnancy shortly after the diagnosis. That was not an option with Sean and Shey.

So Sean and Shey live one day at a time not knowing whether their precious girl will be born alive so that they can hold her in their arms for an hour or two before she succumbs or whether Whitney will pass away in the womb.

Now that’s the finite medical side, let’s look at the larger picture.

The majority of Christians believe that life begins at conception, but does it really? Firstly, God created man in His own likeness.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

So then, if mankind was created in God’s own image God must have an eternal plan for his highest creation.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him…having predestined us to adoption…by Jesus Christ to Himself…In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…” Ephesians 1:3-11

In view of the above, does life begin at conception, or was Whitney’s life predestined when her name was written in God’s book of life before the foundation of the world? Consider Jacob and Esau whose destinies and purpose were also foreordained while in the womb before either had a chance to prove their worthiness.

“And…Rebecca also conceived by…our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, ‘The older shall serve the younger….’ Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!” Romans 9:10-14

Consider another wonderful Biblical story. After the nation of Israel was divided as a result of King Solomon’s idolatry, the first king of the northern ten tribes was Jeroboam I. He was also disobedient and participated in idolatry. He was warned about his activities.

“And behold a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. Then he (the man of God) cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, ‘Oh altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’” I Kings 13:1-3

Lo and behold about 300 years later a certain man was born to perform predestined duties.

“Then the king (Josiah) defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem…and he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men. Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam…had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and crushed it to powder…” II Kings 23:13-16

This story recounts that a particular man named Josiah was called to perform specific duties at a specific time and he was called by name more than three centuries before he was born. So when does life begin in the mind of God?

Our lives at the present level are limited by time and space dimensions and it is easy and in fact natural to seek answers on the same level in which we live. Job questioned God and God addressed Job’s inquisitiveness.

“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding………” Job 38:1-40:1

So Sean and Shey are on a timeless journey. They were chosen for this journey because of their faith and their subsequent witness to thousands. They were chosen for their recognition of and commitment to the sanctity of life principle ordained by God. They were chosen because they will accept God’s plan regardless of the earthbound consequences. Remember the three Hebrew youths who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘Oh Nebuchadnezzar…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not, let it be known to you… that we do not serve your gods…’” Daniel 3:16-18

Regardless of the way in which Whitney blesses this generation the journey can only end in complete and total victory. The sovereign God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob does not make mistakes. Whitney’s life can be described with the Greek word pleroo which is translated in the New Testament as fulfilled, complete, and perfect. In other words Whitney’s life will accomplish the purpose for which God intended before the foundation of the world.

Let it never be said that ‘Whitney was her name,’ but let it forever be said that ‘Whitney IS her name.’

Follow Sean and Shey’s journey on http://churchonmission.typepad.com/seanandshey

Our President's Deafening Silence

In addition to acknowledging the existence of evil and wars, President Obama in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech also called for universal peace among the nations. He stated, “I believe that peace is unstable where citizens are denied the right to speak freely or worship as they please.” I’m confident he wasn’t referring to the United States; however, his statement does reflect the growing impact of political correctness within our own borders.

He went on to scold “those who have distorted and defiled the great religion of Islam…these extremists are not the first to kill in the name of God; the cruelties of the Crusades are amply recorded.” These statements are disingenuous, misleading and in fact inaccurate. Islam denies the deity of Christ and further claims Mohammad superseded Him. Therefore, it is unthinkable that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would classify Islam as a great religion, but rather would condemn it as a false religion which breaks the first commandment.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3

Secondly, history confirms that the Crusades were a defensive effort to halt Islamic Jihad across Europe into Spain, certainly not an offensive action justifying killing in the name of God. Mr. Obama fails to recognize 9-11 signaled the resurgence of Islam’s global imperialistic effort.

President Obama went on to state, “…they remind us that no Holy War can ever be a just war.” Really Mr. President?

“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits…which go out to the kings of the earth…to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty…to the place called… Armageddon.” Revelation 16:12-16

At this time all false religions are judged, i.e. a holy war.

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, ‘come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication’…and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy…The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations…and on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:1-5

The great harlot encompasses all false religions which God will destroy at the hand of the future satanic leader which the Bible labels ‘the beast.’

“The ten horns…are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast…these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.” Revelation 17:12-13, 16-17

But, what was it about the president’s speech that could be deemed the ‘deafening silence’? Simply this, the name ‘Israel’ was not found once in his speech! How could any professing Christian, or in fact anyone who has read a history book give a speech about world peace and not mention Israel? The war of wars of the future is over Israel and Jerusalem! All the other nations exist to fulfill God’s plan for Israel. Israel is, always has been, and always will be the Apple of God’s eye.

“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land…and one king shall be king over them all…David (David’s offspring, i.e. Christ) My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there…forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them…and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore…The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.’” Ezekiel 37:21-28

That is God’s unalterable plan.

The irony is that the above scripture is as succinct as possible and is one of the major themes in the Bible. What would have been the response if Mr. Obama had read that scripture as part of his acceptance speech of the Nobel peace prize? What can be expected for a nation that blatantly ignores God and His word?

President Obama ended his speech with the words, “We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do that – for that is the story of human progress; that is the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on earth.”

Mr. Obama, your very own Bible outlines the future of the nations very clearly. According to the Bible we should be aligning our foreign policy efforts towards befriending and protecting Israel because the day is quickly approaching when she will be at the center of all nations of the earth once again.

Israel’s history has already been written, therefore, “…that must be our work here on earth.” ‘Deafening Silence’ is not an option.

Can there be Peace without War?

President Obama was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and on December 10, 2009 he gave his acceptance speech for this coveted award in Oslo, Norway. He began his speech by acknowledging there was much controversy surrounding his being awarded the prize. He acknowledged there were many others who were more worthy considering he was just beginning his presidency and had actually accomplished little to earn it. He also acknowledged the United States was presently involved in two wars, hardly the example of a peaceful nation.

His acceptance speech appealed to a broad spectrum of listeners. Even most conservatives agreed with his justification for the wars in which the United States presently finds herself. Whether he wrote the speech or his speechwriters, he assumed ownership of it as evidenced by his generous use of the singular personal pronouns ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘my’.

Inasmuch as Mr. Obama professes Christianity it would be expected that his references to issues addressed in the Bible would reflect the Biblical perspective.

President Obama stated that wars have been with mankind since the beginning and there was what he termed ‘justifiable’ wars for reasons such as self defense, etc. He acknowledged that evil did in fact exist in the world. He was Biblically correct on both issues.

Evil was present and wars began in the Garden of Eden. Remember the curse on Satan the author of evil?

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed…” Genesis 3:15

And thousands of years later Jesus Himself spoke of events between His ascension and His return.

“…And you will hear of wars and rumors or wars…For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…” Matthew 24:6-7

After speaking at length about the presence and justification of wars Mr. Obama intimated mankind could “build a just and lasting peace” that would transcend wars. He did not imply such a peace could be attained easily, in fact he mentioned the challenges associated with the “imperfections of man and the limits of reason.” That is a vast understatement and highlights one of the core tenets of liberalism that conflicts with Biblical teachings. Included in the secular definition of liberalism is the belief in the “essential goodness of man.”

The Bible teaches that since the initial sin of rebellion in the Garden of Eden all men are born with an innate propensity to sin. Consider the words of King David.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5

And then consider the words of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament.

“Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” Romans 5:12

The problem arises due to the fact that the majority of the world doesn’t take Biblical precepts seriously. Not giving credence to Biblical precepts is not limited to the non Christian. For example, if President Obama believes that disparate nations can achieve permanent peace among themselves as he envisions he is ignoring His own Bible. The Bible clearly states that wars will persist until Christ returns to put down all rebellion. Consider Jesus’ own words.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

Only after mankind has exhausted all attempts to achieve peace, either by force or diplomacy, will Christ return to earth to put down all rebellion and establish His predestined government spoken of by the prophet Isaiah.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder…Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” Isaiah 9:6-7

But that future government of justice and peace will only be established after the war of wars.

“Behold, the day of the LORD is coming…‘For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem’…Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations…” Zechariah 14:1-3

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16

So, yes Mr. President, there will be wars among nations during the foreseeable future. And yes Mr. President the day will come when the nations of the earth will live in peace. But no Mr. President, you will have nothing to do with that peace except expedite the conditions that confirm man is totally incapable of governing himself.

Again, it is amazing that leaders of nations that profess to espouse Biblical truths will offer solutions that are absolutely contradictory to the word of God which has proven time and time again to be reliable via history.

It should also be remembered, however, that such leaders have been appointed by the sovereign God Himself...

“…In order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” Daniel 4:17