October 22, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
Socrates

“The secret of happiness…is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” Socrates

“Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently. O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.” Psalm 119:1-8

Just yesterday I wrote these words: “Apparently greed was a problem 2000 years ago, and greed continues to be a problem today. There is something inherent within each one of us that compels us to be concerned with self-preservation first, and if we happen to have just a little left over, then we might share with others.” I wrote that in response to the comments of Buddha: that it is the “…mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures (people) to evil ways.” Too many people in our society and throughout the world equate stuff with happiness. They live their lives thinking that if they accumulate more and more stuff, including money, then they will be happy. And yes, I am sure that there are some who are happy with all of their stuff. But, many people are like good old “Citizen Kane” or even “Ebenezer Scrooge” – who only find at the end of their lives, that true happiness does not come from money.

I am always interested by people who, when their children move out of the house, decide to build a bigger house rather than downsize. I happen to know one couple in particular who, when their children moved out of the house, sold their 22,000 square foot house and built a bigger one – just for the two of them. Now, I am not one to judge, I leave that up to Jesus. But, holy Mary the mother of Jesus, why would two people need to live in a 25,000 square foot house? There would be places in that house I would never see for months upon months. Are they happy? I have no idea. I doubt it. Why? Because it has been my experience that people who surround themselves with more and more stuff are inherently unhappy. That people who need to wall themselves into a fortress are either trying to hide something, or are afraid of the outside world.

For me, true happiness comes in living with less and less stuff. True happiness comes in finding a relationship with G-d through Jesus Christ. The Psalmist writes “Happy are those whose…who walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart…” I realize that this may seem foreign to many people, but this kind of happiness can only be made clear when people seek that relationship with Jesus. As long as I have a roof over my head, my wife by my side, my children and grandchild and the rest of my family to give me joy and grief, and a pulpit from which to preach, that is about all I need.

Pastor Dave

October 21, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
Gautama Buddha

“It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.” Gautama Buddha

“So Jesus told them this story: A rich man’s farm produced a big crop, and he said to himself, “What can I do? I don’t have a place large enough to store everything.” Later, he said, “Now I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods. Then I’ll say to myself, ‘You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’” But God said to him, “You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?” “This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God.” Luke 12:16-21

The rich man whose farm produced abundantly had a problem. He had too many crops, and he needed to decide what to do with them. He could offer them up to his neighbors, those whose crops did not do as well this year. He could offer them to the synagogue for the hungry, or even allow much of the crops to remain in the field to allow more for those who would come to glean. Interesting enough, the gospel writer invites us into his mind so we can hear what he is thinking. And what he is thinking is shocking to some of us. “I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods.” I said this would be shocking to some of us – but there are many people, even many countries that would do exactly what this rich man did – because, after all, these crops are “his”.

There are many people around the world who are starving. The most recent statistics I could find from “Action Against Hunger” states that 1 in 8 people worldwide do not get enough to eat. Approximately 2700 children each day die of starvation around the world. The problem is not whether there is enough food, the problem is that too many people and governments think just like the rich man in the parable – that what they have is theirs and they are not going to share it with others – either their own people, or with other governments. What causes someone to think like that? I do believe that evil is responsible for the actions of some who hoard what they have. But I also believe it is fear, selfishness, and self-preservation that permeates the mind of those who hoard their goods, resources, and money.

The lesson Jesus was teaching was against greed. Apparently greed was a problem 2000 years ago, and greed continues to be a problem today. There is something inherent within each one of us that compels us to be concerned with self-preservation first, and if we happen to have just a little left over, then we might share with others. Jesus tells those listening to him not to worry about such things, that G-d provides in abundant ways, and so out of our abundance, we are called to share what we have. If the teaching of Jesus gives us a heart to serve others, and if more people have that same heart, then we will soon find that more people find ways to share with those who lack, and fewer people will have to go without the basics of food, shelter, and security.

Pastor Dave