I can't get "no" satisfaction, Part II

“There are three things that are never satisfied,

four that never say, ‘Enough!’:

the grave, the barren womb,

land, which is never satisfied with water,

and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’

We are still exploring our verses, Proverbs 30:15-16.
Today let's look at the second thing that "is never satisfied" -- the barren womb.
I believe that God gave us (women) something down deep in our souls that prepares us for our role as mothers. In most women there is a yearning to have a child. Many of us have experienced the joys (and sorrows) of giving birth to and raising children. Those who have not experienced it often desire it above all else.
Remember Samuel's mom? Her name was Hannah, and she implored the Almighty to bless her with a child. Let me refresh your memory of the story, for it is a poignant one:
Hannah was one of two wives of a man of Israel -- she was actually the one that he loved best. And he showed it by always giving her the choicest food, and doting on her. Now, obviously that didn't set well with the other wife, for though she had borne him children, she was not favored as much, and she resented it! So she picked and needled and irritated Hannah, and caused her much anguish and many tears. Her hubby encouraged her, but still her heart was heavy and she couldn't eat.
One day at worship, Hannah was overcome and prayed, weeping bitterly. She promised the Lord that if He would bless her with a son, she would dedicate him to His service. The rest of the story is a wonderful example of answered prayer: Hannah conceived and took her young son to live, work, and worship in the temple, and then to be a prophet of God and trusted advisor to kings.

I wrote all of that to give an example of the fierce longing of many women to bear children. In the same way, for most new Christians, there is a overwhelming desire to tell others of Christ's love -- to see others born again, as we have been. You see, a saved person wants to see others saved!

But how many of us have forgotten all about the Great Commission?

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

How long has it been since we witnessed to the power of the Lord in our lives? Have we prayed like Hannah and pleaded for the opportunity to share Him with others?
How long has it been since we told others of His love and His compassion? Our soul will be barren unless we obey His command and tell others about Him. I believe this ties in with the spiritual death that we spoke of yesterday. There are some Christians and some churches that seem dead. There is so little life and joy in them that they seem to have already "given up the ghost." Gone are the outreach efforts . . . missing in action are the sincere words to an unbeliever. I truly believe that an earnest desire to tell others about Him will breathe a spark of life where there is none!

Proverbs 30:15-16 I can't get "no" satisfaction, Part I

“The leech has two daughters.

‘Give! Give!’ they cry.

“There are three things that are never satisfied,

four that never say, ‘Enough!’:

the grave, the barren womb,

land, which is never satisfied with water,

and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’

I guess that all of us has known someone who never seems to be satisfied. We can't do enough for them; they can't get enough. There is always something else that they are so sure will satisfy them . . . They see what other people have, and they want to have it, too. It doesn't matter in the least that those people have worked, saved, and sacrificed to get those things --- the unsatisfied person wants them now!
Dissatisfied people always have a negative outlook: they are always looking for what is wrong in their life, or what they want and don't have, etc. They seem to thrive (sometimes even enjoy) having a problem that they can talk about. They are happiest being a victim. And if you advise them how their problem can be solved? Oh, boy, are they aggravated with you!
We see this a lot in kids, but adults are not immune. With some people, the more you do for them, the more they take you for granted, and want even more!

Our verses today and tomorrow list four things that are never, ever satisfied. Let's get down to our study!

First, the grave . . . this is speaking about death. Despite the title of the (very) old movie, death never really takes a holiday.  No one has found a way yet, to escape. It is in all of our futures, unless Christ's return happens before we pass. We see in Ecclesiastes 3:3 that there is a "time to be born and a time to die."
I recall years ago traveling to Charleston, SC, and walking through the quiet graveyard beside St. Michael's Church there. There were all sizes and shapes of graves and stones between the cobbled paths -- some were so tiny, and decorated with cherubs, for babes and children who had died so long ago. Others were large; some even looked like buildings, for adults that were prominent in the community when they died.
Death doesn't care our age, or our importance. It's never satisfied, crying out "more, more."
This verse could be talking about spiritual death, too. Of individuals, or even churches. There is a lot to think about in these verses . . . more tomorrow.

Proverbs 15:27 Let's make a distinction here . . .

Pro 15:27  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

What? Did that set you back on your heels for a minute?  "Hateth gifts"??

OK, let's make a distinction here . . . "hateth gifts" is NOT talking about rejecting all those nice presents that you received at Christmas-time!

In fact, the words here are very different, and have to do with bribery, and being greedy of gain --- so greedy that one is willing to do very dishonest things to get it!

Let's look at the meaning of some of the words. I think that "greedy of gain" is pretty self-explanatory; this person will become a slave to the desire to "get ahead" and will fret and scheme to accumulate more and more of the material things of this world. Always in pursuit mode, this person will cause vexation and quarrels even with his (or her) own family, and will resort to dishonest means of getting wealth.

The word in this verse that is translated "gifts" is sometimes used to mean a sacrificial offering (that's good) and other times to mean a bribe (that's bad). So a person who "hateth gifts" (bribes) is the opposite of the greedy person - this person will be willing to use his material blessings to do good. This is the person who will "live" --- not troubling his house, but enjoying the comfort of the necessary things, and possibly the blessings of additional wealth, the comfort of a happy family, and always the security of a close walk with God.

Now that we've made the distinction, and ferreted out the meaning of the verse, shall we make an application to all of our lives? Do we want to have more than enough? Why should we want to have more than enough? It is very easy to fall into the trap of always wanting more...for Christians, there is one very good reason to have more than just enough to live: when God grants us more than we need, He's giving us the opportunity to help others. It's a gift --- a chance to put His love into action through our stewardship of His blessings! That's not to say that we should give every penny away, after we pay our bills and make a trip to the grocery store. Wise stewardship means that we do put some away for the future, but if God lays it on our heart to help someone, we need to listen, and we need to cheerfully give.

I think this sums it up --- this is Paul, writing to Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:8 - 11 - But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Please, Lord, when I see someone who is truly in need, please open my hand --- open both of my hands, and I will give cheerfully in your name, and thank You that I can!