When is Enough, Enough?

“The love of money is the root of all evil” is a misquotation of 1 Timothy 6:10, which actually states that, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” The Bible warns against the dangers of greed and a desire for wealth. It is the love of money, that is identified as the culprit.  Money is not evil; it is how people choose to acquire and use it that can be problematic.

There has and always will be those who have and those who have not. The Bible speaks of inequality.  Jesus said, “The poor will always be with us.”  He also cautioned those who have more than they need and continue to acquire more. Instead of hoarding, the Bible encourages using our resources to bless others and further God’s kingdom.

The Bible presents several teachings that directly address the issues of greed. These lessons emphasize moral integrity and spiritual well-being over material wealth. Jesus teaches against greed in Luke 12:15, stating, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

This passage highlights that true fulfillment comes from more than just accumulating wealth. Greed doesn’t just harm individuals; it influences society as a whole. The tale of King Ahab’s pursuit of Naboth’s vineyard shows how selfish desires can lead to injustice (1 Kings 21:1-16).

Proverbs 28:25 warns about greedy behavior, saying, “A greedy person stirs up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.” Here, it’s clear that greed can lead to discord and strife within communities.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 offers a stark reminder, declaring, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” The pursuit of wealth often leads individuals away from their values.

James 5:1-3 addresses the consequences of hoarding wealth, stating, “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that’s coming on you. Your gold and silver are corroded.

These biblical teachings consistently remind us to prioritize spiritual health over financial gain. The parable of the rich fool illustrates this point when God tells the man, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself.”

I’ve never seen a Brinks, or any of the other armored carriers as a part of a funeral procession.  

Learning From Our Mistakes

This phenomenon, known as the “definition of insanity,” has been a subject of fascination for philosophers, scientists, and thinkers alike. Doing the same thing and expecting different results can be seen as a testament to human nature. We can’t seem to get over it.

Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Whether it’s in relationships, work, or personal growth, Einstein’s words remind us that change requires action, not just hope.

In the world of business and innovation, Steve Jobs is credited with, “If you do the same things as others, you’ll get the same results as others.” It serves as a reminder that following the crowd will only lead to mediocrity, while true success comes from daring to be different.

The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” It suggests that by seeking new experiences and challenging our beliefs, we can break free from the cycle of monotony and achieve extraordinary results.

The library of Mistakes was founded in Edinburg Scotland, in 2013. It features a collection of over two thousand books that can educate the next generation of economists. This was to prevent another 1929, and 2008. According to the library’s curators, this serves as a perfect example of how seemingly “smart people keep doing stupid things.

In scripture, Paul reminded the Corinthians that one way to avoid yielding to temptation and to have a strong spiritual life is to learn from the mistakes of God’s people in the past. He used them who engaged in idolatry, chose to commit immorality, grumbled about the plans and purposes of God, and rebelled against His leaders. 

Due to their sin, they experienced His discipline (1 Corinthians 10:7-10). At times God seemingly gives up on us and leaves us alone, allowing us to go our own way and not stopping us even when we’re headed toward disaster.

The Bible says, “God gave them up” (Romans 1:26). However, God is always ready to forgive us and save us, no matter how far we have drifted away from Him. We may turn our backs on someone who has offended us but God never does.

No matter how far we have strayed. Unlike Karma, hope is available at the next bus stop.

Staying Focused

Staying focused involves minimizing distractions, prioritizing tasks, and adopting strategies to enhance concentration. According to Healthline, getting enough sleep, eating regular meals, and managing stress also play a crucial role.

Multitasking is the act of performing or attempting to perform multiple tasks at the same time, or switching rapidly between different tasks. Research suggests that human multitasking can lead to decreased productivity, increasing errors, and higher stress levels.

I have always believed that it was impossible to do more than one thing at the very same time but I was unable to label it. I just knew that I was unable to do it. Switching rapidly between different tasks, without thinking makes more sense. My wife says I think too much.  

Our brains generally can’t truly perform multiple tasks at once; instead, we switch our attention between tasks very quickly. This rapid switching can increase the cognitive load, making it harder to focus, retain information, and complete tasks effectively.

According to research, chronic multitaskers tend to show more impulsivity than their peers, and they may be more likely to downplay possible risks associated with tackling multiple things at once. They also seem to show less control and are often distracted easily.

You no doubt know someone who seemed to have had it going on, when they were younger. They were cooking, washing clothes, listening to music, and writing papers at the same time. They were, “all over the place.” They have now slowed down.   

The Bible does not explicitly address multitasking as a modern concept, but it does offer wisdom on the importance of focus and prioritizing tasks.

While some biblical figures balanced multiple roles, the scriptures also emphasize the need to avoid being “double-minded” or distracted from what is important.

When We Are Hurt

The American businessman and writer, Paul Boese published many of his philosophical thoughts in a weekly quote magazine in 1967, and his words on forgiveness have been an inspiration to countless people in the decades since.

He says when we are hurt, forgiving the people at fault can be incredibly difficult; because we’re wired to keep our defenses up to protect ourselves from more pain. But anger, resentment, and hatred are damaging emotions to hold onto, and a source of pain in themselves.

Forgiveness doesn’t change or condone the wrongs that was done, but it does help us let go of that negativity to make room to heal and move on. It “enlarges the future,” Forgiving someone doesn’t have to mean reconciliation. You do not have to become best of friends afterwards.

Bear with each other and forgive one another “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother and sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Not seven times, but seventy-seven times Matt 18:21-22.

The book entitled, Forgive and Forget Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve by Lewis B Smedes, shows us that it is possible to heal our pain and find room in our hearts to forgive. However, it is near impossible without the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our hearts.

Our Creator has lessons for us that go beyond our earthly authors. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you. If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you.

Some people invade our lives for a tragic hour or a sad lifetime, leave us with hurting memories, and then move away where we cannot see them. Or when they hide their faces behind the masks of corporations.      

Enabling Others

Making excuses for other’s bad behavior, especially repeated, can be harmful to both the person making the excuses and the one whose behavior is excused. It can enable negative patterns, damage relationships, and hinder personal growth.

While empathy and understanding can be helpful, constantly excusing harmful actions can lead to enabling bad behavior and even allow for abuse to continue. After a while they get so good at it they are able to get the enabler to sway others to feel the same way about them.

I have heard time and time again, “I know they are terrible, but someone has to stick up for them.” It usually comes from a mother or father, who believes that they have failed them, and this is their way of compensating them. They view the villain as an underdog.

An underdog is someone or something that is expected to lose or is at a disadvantage in a competition or situation. This term is often used in sports, politics, and other competitive arenas, where an underdog is pitted against a more favored opponent.

A key characteristic of an underdog is their potential to surprise and achieve victory despite the odds being stacked against them. Enablers help them in many ways. They do not usually have as much to lose. They are benefitting in some way. Even when it hurts them they keep making excuses for them.

A lack of empathy for others, prevents some people from putting checks on those who inflict pain on others. “Hurting people have a tendency to hurt others.” This is why it is so important to help those who have been hurt to seek counseling to address their hurts and find healing.

The Gift of Giving

Jessica Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, in the College of Science, discusses in detail the psychology and neuroscience behind giving and receiving gifts. There is a decent amount of research showing that the act of giving actually makes us feel better.

The phrase “gift of giving” can refer to a spiritual gift or a general expression of generosity and kindness. It can mean the ability to cheerfully and sacrificially give of one’s resources (time, talent, and treasure) without expecting anything in return.

In the context of Christian theology, the “gift of giving” is a spiritual gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit on specific individuals. It empowers them to contribute generously to the work of God and to meet the needs of others, often going beyond the typical tithe, 10%.

Those with this gift often exhibit cheerfulness, liberality, and a desire to share their blessings, sometimes adjusting their lifestyles to give more. Examples of this gift can be seen in the Bible, such as the Macedonian Christians who gave sacrificially to others despite their own poverty.

Thoughtful and meaningful gifts, whether material or experiential, can be a powerful way to show someone you care. Even small acts of kindness and generosity can create a “warm glow of feeling” for both the giver and the recipient, fostering connection and happiness.

Such as the time at my lowest, in grad school, my advisor often said, “Jerry, let me do that for you.” In under graduate school, one of my classmates would bring me an apple and the other invited me to lunch once per week. My “landlady” would pay my tuition until my “GI Bill” check would arrive.

The act of giving can be a way to express love and appreciation, and can be a powerful way to strengthen relationships. When we were down to no car, one of my teacher friends loaned me a car.  When I tried to repay her, she would not accept it. Another time, one would pick me up from an eatery and drop me off at home.  I don’t have that relationship with men.

Evidence from brain imaging also suggests that both giving gifts and receiving gifts activate core areas of our brain associated with reward and pleasure. These brain regions also stimulate the neurotransmitter dopamine.

All in all, psychology and neuroscience suggest that giving gifts to other people can be a very rewarding phenomenon that can bring happiness to ourselves and others. What all this means is that when we are kind to others, we are, in a way, being kind to ourselves.

When to Be Silent, When to Speak

Scientists say, “While silence can be a conscious choice, a form of self-preservation, or even a sign of wisdom, it can also be perceived as an endorsement of the status quo, especially when injustice or wrongdoing is involved.”

Still others argue that some people remain silent due to a lack of awareness, or empathy for the situation. Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated that “there comes a time when silence is betrayal. This emphasizes that when silence allows injustice or suffering to continue.

Being silent is wise when we don’t understand what’s happening. Job’s friends misrepresent God and make false assumptions about Job’s character. They believe God is punishing Job for his sin, but they are wrong. Sometimes, the best counselling is listening.

The Bible offers guidance on when to speak and when to be silent, particularly when defending the vulnerable and speaking out against injustice. It emphasizes the importance of speaking truth and righteousness, while also recognizing the value of wisdom in choosing the right time to speak.

The Bible consistently calls on believers to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Proverbs 31:8-9 says to “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”. To speak truth and righteousness: Speaking up against injustice and falsehood is a core biblical principle.

While it’s important to stand up for what is right, it’s also important to be mindful of the potential consequences of speaking and to choose battles wisely. Talk to God about it and invoke the Holy Spirit to tweak your thoughts.

When speaking to a fool, Proverbs 23:9 says, “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words” according to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Failure of Old Wine Skins

I have a friend whom I have learned so much. When it comes to life experiences he has done or seen it all. Not many have been blessed to survive. One would think that he had a death wish. He credits his mother and all of those who prayed for his change. Most everyone applauds.

I have watched him over the years change from a person bent on destruction to a person who values life as if it is a must. He used to dump salt on everything, and if he was cautioned about the dangers, he would dump even more. He has high blood pressure but takes his meds as if it was a religion. He values life.

When I was going thorough seminary, he was my go-to person. Not that I thought he was the biggest sinner in the world, but rather because I trusted that he would be truthful about what he said. He understood both sides of life. Today, I can listen to him talk for hours. Non-judgmental.

He once told me that at one time he was very much in love with someone who betrayed his trust. He never told me what she had done and I did not push him for an answer. That was the agreement that we had. I would never push him for explanations.

As a new believer of forgiveness, I asked him if he believed she had changed, and if so, could he forgive her. He said it does not matter. He said he never revived a relationship. And he quoted a scripture that he had based it on. I was impressed with his answer. This is what it said:

No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put your wine in cracked bottles (Mark 2:22). I didn’t dare tell him that he was taking the scripture out of context. I understood what he meant.

The Need For Closure

Closure is defined as the act of bringing to an end. It can also refer to the feeling or act of bringing an unpleasant situation, time, or experience to an end, so that you are able to start new activities or relationships. The American Psychological Association defines closure as “the act, achievement, or sense of completing or resolving something”.

A sense of closure is not usually possible with an ambiguous loss, such as a missing person. People have not given up on missing persons from the Viet Nam Era. They are still hoping that they will find them alive, or some concrete proof of exactly what happened to them.

In the case of the death penalty, victims seeking “closure” may adopt effective strategies as diverse as retribution, on one hand, and forgiveness on the other. They want to see the person punished for their crime quickly as opposed to the length of time that normally happens.

The Bible doesn’t use the word “closure,” but it offers guidance on dealing with endings, losses, and moving forward. Biblical principles suggest that true peace comes from seeking God’s will, trusting His wisdom, and finding comfort in His promises, rather than solely relying on explanations or resolutions that satisfy our desire for under-standing.

The Bible emphasizes God’s sovereignty and His ability to work all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This means that even in difficult situations where closure seems elusive, God is working behind the scenes and has a purpose.

Instead of dwelling on specific answers or resolutions, believers are encouraged to trust that God’s plans are ultimately for their benefit. Finding Peace in God’s Presence, the Bible speaks of God as a source of peace and comfort, particularly for those who are heartbroken or distressed (Psalm 34:18).

Seeking God’s presence through prayer and scripture can provide a sense of calm and strength to navigate challenging situations. When facing an ending, finding peace in God’s love and promises can be more impactful than seeking external validation or explanations.

The Bible teaches the importance of forgiveness, both forgiving others and forgiving oneself. When dealing with past hurts or mistakes, seeking God’s forgiveness and extending grace to oneself and others can be a powerful step towards healing and moving forward.