The differences between language used to speak of spirit content and that for various states and conditions in human experience are considered, today. Abstract aspects of human behavior that are attitudinal, emotional, intellectual, and mental are often spoken of as if they were spiritual because they are immaterial and can not be seen using sight. Many err confusing the achievement of happiness by ones own deeds and efforts (we say, works) with salvation that is accomplished on their behalf through operations of divinity. Consider again the following from the Bible, and the discussion appearing below: John 13: 13-17, King James Version (KJV): 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord, and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord: neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Also, Luke 12: 15, KJV: 15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Hebrews 13: 5-6, KJV: 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “pretty asian girl” (Level 1 with 18 points, a member since March 15, 2008) posted the following:
Christians, what does "it’s better to have one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and a chasing after the wind.” mean?
Ecclesiastes 4:6
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2nd Timothy 2: 3-4, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Mistakes In Youth? (08/24/2015); A Duty to Restore an Inheritance? (04/16/2015); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); Can Someone Be Happy? (12/10/2013); Asked to Help? (12/11/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)
“pretty asian girl”, because we are not always careful with language and words, many believers mistakenly confuse ideas that pertain to their carnal, material and social existence with the ideas from GOD that we find in the Bible. As Christians begin to fellowship with more experienced believers, study the holy writings on a regular basis, and practice the sacred works for those who are reborn through Christ (e.g., praise, prayer, thanksgiving, worship), they begin to understand there are many differences in application, meaning, and purpose. For example, “happiness” (we say, a feeling; an emotional state and psychological condition) is not the same as “joy” (an aspect of the divine makeup inseparable from faith, holiness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin). Similarly, “satisfaction” pertains to the fulfillment of “appetite”, demands for change such as hunger, thirst, and sexual cravings that arouse within organs and tissues of the body. To “covet” appears as an operation of sin whereby a person desires whatever they see or imagine, specially the things possessed by others. Also, they may “envy” (desire to deny others what they possess). Through baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit content, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak) the believer is given a new nature that is turned to divinity, and is commanded to pursue “contentment”, acceptance and reconciliation to existing conditions in balance with duty, expectation and hope that c0me through proclamation, promise, and prophecy. To clarify the verse you have cited, consider again the following from the Scriptures that counsel humility and condemn contentiousness:
(1.) Psalms 37: 16-17, King James Version (KJV): 16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
(2.) Proverbs 16: 19, KJV: 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
(3.) Proverbs 15: 16-17, KJV: Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
(4.) Proverbs 17: 1, KJV: 1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Proverbs 21: 9, KJV: 9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Natural and spiritual death are topics today along with eternal life, resurrection, prosperity and destruction of fools. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “interesting” (Level 1 with 25 points, a member since September 23, 2012) posted the following:
If Jesus died so other people can live, isn’t being ressurected a deal-breaker?
THE BATTLE AXE: Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012)—As surely as the use of money is commonplace in our culture, complaining about bills, debts and money is so widespread that financial stability and contentment are often incorrectly thought to come only by operation of the Spirit of GOD in the life of believers. Many Christians now endorse the idea that prosperity is a condition of overall health for a person’s finances, mental state, physical body, social relationships and spiritual wellbeing. Believers regularly petition GOD in their prayers for increased prosperity as a legitimate entitlement in concurrence with their inheritance as children of GOD. Abundance and plenty routinely trigger feelings of safety, satisfaction, and strength. However, prosperity is said to be “ruin” where spiritual complacency and indifference appear, and where there is a false sense of security, overconfidence, or breakdowns in sacred discipline and vigilance. Because ostentation, showing-off, flamboyance, and making display of appetite, money and property (called “conspicuous consumption”) are downplayed as harmless competition or acceptable fun, rather than sin, those having great wealth often foster and are plagued by envy, covetousness, and thievery. Envy (a quiet, emotional form of violence) is malice directed against others to deny them pleasure in, or ownership of some object. Covetousness is exaggerated desire for objects others are seen with, ones own belongings, or the belongings and property of others. Thievery is stealing, and taking authority over the belongings of others without their approval, knowledge and permission. The poor are able to “live as kings,” because prosperity does not initiate, generate, and increase sin. Rightly understood, prosperity turns men to GOD and to one another in gratitude, humility and joy. One does not prosper on the basis of how much they have, by having more, or by having better. One prospers by enjoying what they have, however little it may be; and the key to their enjoyment is that, they continue in their integrity, and they unselfishly share with others (see Proverbs 22: 1 and Proverbs 19: 22, King James Version).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2nd Corinthians 4: 5-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Chances for Change (09/15/2012); What He Died For (09/14/2012); The Old Testament and Parables (08/12/2012); The Divine Tool of Death (08/11/2012); Binder 21: Dead Indeed Unto Sin (10/18/2011); Work in Heaven? (11/22/2010); For Our Sins? (11/21/2010)
Your question pertains to some of the most important and least publicly talked about truth from Christian belief. Be encouraged as you consider the following:
Thinking and speaking of life and death as events within the natural world are very different from the understanding given Christian believers, who learn to see life and death as aspects of spiritual processes. Created beings and living creatures “die” as they complete, finish and fulfill mortality—a condition of existence and qualification for carrying out specific divine purposes. In addition to death, mortality is also completed through translation wherein one is caught up to GOD. The death of Jesus was not intended to continue the course of natural life and death for mankind that had been in place for thousands of years. By his death Jesus completes, prepares, and reveals various sacred processes including Creation, forgiveness, rebirth, repentance, salvation, sanctification, and judgment.
Resurrection from the state of death is provided to establish the righteousness of judgment. In order that all may appear alive before the divine judge to hear and “answer” any charges, their mortality is restored. The first resurrection restores only the followers of Jesus at the time of his coming (called Advent, and Rapture). The second resurrection restores the wicked, and occurs after the destruction of Satan in the lake of fire. The wicked therefore appear in judgment with only the record of their own deeds as the “accuser.”
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, being cast into the lake of fire is the second death, and is reserved for unholy angels, unclean spirits and wicked men. Conclusion of the Great White Throne judgment will also be the finish of all mortality. Incorruptibility and immortality will be bestowed upon mankind, and those saved from the earth will continue their eternal life begun before their death. The holy angels and other living creatures of heaven will not be altered.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
