“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 107 “Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor” (Prov. 19: 4). This observation can be taken in two ways, both of them accurate. The first is that wealth creates many “friends.” You win the lottery …
Time for Some Larger Barns
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 106 “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit” (Prov. 18:11). The Bible is full of warnings about the false security of wealth. It does provide a measure of security, as …
Quiet Theft
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 105 “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” (Prov. 18:9). This passage illustrates well the nature of sins of omission. When someone vandalizes something, we can readily see that this …
State of the Church 2007
Introduction: Our God has blessed us in innumerable ways over the last few years. One of those blessings has been growth, and it has been the kind of growth that has been hard to channel through the normal kind of “new members’ classes.” And so, this year the state of the church message is going …
Eyes At the Ends of the Earth
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 104 “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth” (Prov. 17:24). A wise man is prudent and watches his feet right in front of him. A fool’s eyes …
Co-Signing
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 103 “A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend” (Prov. 17:18). The book of Proverbs famously takes dim view of co-signing a note. But before we absolutize this, we should take note …
As It Ought To
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 102 “A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren” (Prov. 17:2). Biblical ethics are personal, and this includes biblical business ethics. Now in business, nothing is …
This and That, That and This
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 101 “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife” (Prov. 17:1). The book of Proverbs loves comparisons—this is better than that. And it loves combinations of comparisons—this with that is better than …
Good Motivation
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 100 “He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him” (Prov. 16:26). This might seem a bit obscure in the Authorized Version. The NIV is blunter. “The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him …
Enronville
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 99 “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Prov. 16:19). Again we have a pointed comparison. It is better to lose profit, and be a humble man …