Holy Happiness - Part 15

Let’s be real… sometimes people who have no relationship with God at all, seem perfectly happy.  Things are going their way.  They may be well-off, healthy, have good marriages and kids you could be proud to call your own.  Their life looks great; and it may be.

But the best life soon comes to an end.  And if it ends with that person having no personal relationship with God through Jesus, then their first experience after death and for each moment throughout eternity is one of unimaginable suffering and agony.

How happy do you think they are then?

Jesus told a parable of such a man.  This story gives us just a glimpse into his experience after living a wonderful, “happy” life on earth.  But it is enough for us to know his happiness did not follow him to the other side of the grave.

“There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.  But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate.  He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.  One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.  The rich man also died and was buried.  And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.  ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’  ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.  Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’”  (Luke 16:19-26)

Which one do you think was happier in life?

Which one would you want to be – the wealthy who had the best of everything, or the poor beggar covered with sores and whose belly growled constantly with hunger?

And you see, this is the problem…particularly for us Christians: When we suffer, or don’t experience the kind of life we see other people who are not Christians experiencing, we wonder.  “God, how is this fair?  Why is my life this way?  Hey, God, I’m on your team!  Remember me?  God if you are going to bless them and let them be happy, why not me?”

Sometimes we become discouraged, depressed, even enraged at God.  The result: we let our happiness be negatively impacted by the apparent joy of someone else’s life.

We know we should not do this.  We know it’s not wise; that things aren’t always as they seem and those “happy” people are probably struggling in some ways too.  But we still, so often, look at them and say: “I wish I could be like them.  I wish I could have their life.”

Well look at the rich man in this parable.  Would you really want to be like him?

Notice five truths from this passage.

I.     Both men died.

Everyone does!  But just to be clear, Jesus said it this way:

“One day the poor man died…The rich man also died.” (vs. 22)

Obvious fact, but don’t miss its significance.  You too will die one day and go to one of two possible destinations.  Everyone – rich or poor – will experience this.

II.    Death is not the end.

“One day the poor man died and was carried away…to Abraham’s side.  The rich man [was] in torment in Hades.”  (vs. 22-23a)

After their earthly, physical death, both men were alive and aware someplace else.

The rich man recognized Abraham (who he had never seen) and Lazarus (who presumably he had seen).  He was aware of his agony and suffering.  He was acutely aware of his thirst.

‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’  (vs. 24)

There is an afterlife – an eternity for each of us.  A place where we have awareness and recognition…of ourselves, of others, and of our condition.

III.  “Blessings” in this life do not transfer into eternity.

Or you could say: One’s station in this life does not gain one any privilege in the next!

‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.  (vs. 25)

The man who had all the blessings life could offer – who apparently was a man of means, privilege and prestige – was experiencing only… What?

Answer:  AGONY!  He was in absolute torment!

He whose every whim was met in this life, was denied his only request.  In eternity he had no status, no standing, no influence and no importance at all.

Please notice: it is not that his status, standing, influence and importance were reduced.  Rather, in eternity, they do not exist!

Notice another interesting tidbit in the parable.  It’s a small detail.  You may have missed it.

If only one of the two men was going to get a first-class ticket to the afterlife, which one do you think it would be?  Obviously, the rich man.  Most of us expect the wealthy to travel first-class, and the poor to travel coach (if at all).

But when Lazarus died, he was “carried away by the angels” (vs. 22).  But the rich man “died and was buried” (vs. 22c). 

Transportation by angels, versus being dumped into Hades!  Truly, one’s station in this life does not gain one any privilege in the next!

IV.  Once you arrive – you’re not leaving!

“Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.”  (vs. 26)

The Eagles sang the song: Hotel California.  Lots of people like the song; but it’s about drug use.  The famous line in the lyrics is: “You can go anytime you like, but you can never leave!”

This is certainly true of the afterlife.  You get one ticket.  It’s one-way, and non-transferable.  And once you arrive, there is no going back and no changing sides.

A great chasm has been placed between the place of peace, comfort and joy, and the place of flame, agony and suffering!  There is NO way, ever, to cross this chasm.  Even Abraham said it was impossible.

Pick your destination carefully while you can.  This is a trip you will take.  You will arrive somewhere upon your earthly, physical death.  And you will remain there for eternity.

So we can summarize this passage with this final truth…

IV.  Happiness here does not determine happiness there.

Whatever happiness people experience in this life is over the moment they die.

If they were happy, but lived without a personal relationship with God through Jesus in this life, then their happy days are over forever.  If they had such a relationship, then whether they experienced happiness in this life or not, they certainly will now!  And for all of eternity!

So don’t be discouraged or depressed, and certainly don’t become enraged at God when you see those who want nothing to do with Him seemingly experiencing wonderful, happy lives.  Know, whatever happiness they experience is limited to this life.

Instead, in this life find your joy in Christ.  Do so and you will experience lasting happiness forever!

Holy Happiness - Part 14

What are people striving for each day?  Why do you get out of bed…what are you hoping to accomplish?

A cliché answer might be: “to get ahead,” and I think that’s probably right.  Most people strive each day to make money, to live well, to be successful…to have a better life.

Indeed, most people seem to measure their happiness based upon how successful they are toward accomplishing this goal.  Maybe few of us would admit it, and almost all of us know how unwise this can be…but it still happens all the time.  Jesus told a parable about such a person.

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”  Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive.  He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to story my crops?  I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.  Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years.  Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’  But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you.  And the things you have prepared – whose will they be?’  That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”  (Luke 12:15-21)

What is so wrong with building bigger barns to hold more grain and goods?

Answer: Nothing.  The rich man’s error was not in growing wealthier, and thus needing to build more barns.  You can be successful in life, even very wealthy, and still be faithful in God’s eyes.  The two wealthiest men I know personally are both very Godly…strong, dedicated Christians.

So, what did he do wrong?

To correctly understand what Jesus is teaching in this parable (one often misunderstood and misapplied), you need to carefully read Jesus’ statements just before and after the parable.  Here they are without the parable in between:

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” … That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”  (Luke 12:15,21)

Do you see it now?  What was the rich man’s mistake?

I see two problems.

I.          Blessed vs. Greedy

There is a big difference between living a life blessed by God – one He blesses in response to our faithful obedience; versus living a life based on greed.  The rich man was greedy.  He was storing up grain and goods to feed his greed.  Have you ever done this; or known someone who did?

Many times when a Christian lives in faithful obedience to God, he will experience amazing blessings.  Sometimes these include astounding increases in wealth.  The point is not the wealth and whether it is increasing or not.  The point is God.

In other words, the rich man’s focus was wrong.  He was focused on the plenty, on the increasing wealth, and as a result became very greedy.  By the way, it always happens this way.  No matter how much one owns, when he or she starts focusing on the wealth, it is never enough.

But by focusing on God, one is able to maintain the proper balance and perspective.  One focused on God sees the increasing wealth as providing additional opportunities to bless others, to support Kingdom work, and to please God even more through faithful stewardship.

Jesus had it right.  “One’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”  Life is found in right relationship with God.  This is living blessed, not living based on greed.

Second problem…

II.       Giver vs. Hoarder

The rich man amassed a fortune…for himself.  He was hoarding all the excess, building barns to make sure he could keep it all.  To quote Jesus: He was storing “up treasure for himself.”

I picture Scrooge sitting at his dark desk, alone, late at night…totally content to count his money over and over again.  While others hunger and hurt just outside his door, he is happy to move a pile of money from one side of his desk to the other as he counts it yet again.

“All for me!” is the mantra of such people (and you don’t have to be financially rich to be part of this group).  And while amassing much for themselves, what is their attitude toward God?

Jesus said the man “is not rich toward God.”  God gets nothing!  Or at the very most, God only gets the barest minimum.  And probably even that is given hesitantly and with regret; certainly not with the joy God desires of us when we give.

The Bible promises that cheerful givers are rewarded and blessed by God.  The rich man is not one of these!

Are you?

Do you live greedily, focused on what you can amass for yourself?  Do you hoard all you can for your benefit alone?

Or, do you live faithfully focused on God and patiently accepting whatever blessings He chooses to send into your life?  Do you see your possessions – ALL of your possessions – as a way to be a blessing to others and to support Kingdom work?  Are you a cheerful and generous giver?

So many in our culture believe amassing as much wealth as possible for themselves will bring much happiness.  Actually, it is the opposite that is true.

For wealth is an uncertain companion.  Here one moment and quickly gone the next!  Haven’t we all seen that happen, particularly in recent years?  On wealth, on your possessions is such an uncertain foundation for building a life of happiness.

In fact, most find that giving away and blessing others brings infinitely more joy than hoarding ever did, or does!

And look lastly at what Jesus said about the rich man.  For amassing his wealth and building new barns, God calls him a “fool!”  Why?

Because he would die that night…he was going to be gone – permanently!  “This very night your life is demanded of you.”

What would happen to his grand plans then?  What would happen to his fortune?  How much would he enjoy those new barns after he was buried?

What are you focused on?  Wealth – getting more, hoarding what you have?  Or, are you focused on serving God faithfully, trusting Him to provide for your needs and any additional blessings?

Un-Holy Happiness is for those who trust their wealth…it’s foundation is uncertain.  Holy Happiness is for those who trust their Maker…a sure, strong and eternal foundation that will never fail nor disappoint!

Now…which kind of happiness do you really want?

Holy Happiness - Part 13

Only a Moment

As Christians, we are blessed and nothing can change that!

We have a source and path for true, deep and lasting happiness – a sense of blessedness.  Even the worst trials and troubles in this life cannot rob us of our Holy Happiness. 

But what about people who are not followers of Christ and yet seem so happy?  In fact, sometimes they seem very happy!  What about them?  What are they experiencing?

This is important.  Many Christians become frustrated and discouraged when they seek to faithfully obey and serve God, and then see those who have nothing to do with God seemingly living with such happiness.  Questions naturally occur: Is it worth it?  Why are they happy?  Should I just quit trying and be more like them?

So I want to look at the happiness of those who don’t know God.  Since such people are unholy, not being in right relationship with God, I'll call their happiness: Un-Holy Happiness!  Once we look at it, I think you will never again want the kind of happiness they seem to enjoy.

The unrighteous, the un-holy, who seem to be so happy can have a very alluring impact on many of us.  As a culture, we often idolize and want to be like these people.  Movie stars, sports figures and societal leaders have money.  They can travel.  They have big houses and fancy cars, private jets and luxury yachts.  They have a lifestyle we don’t.  And they don’t have the problems, particularly the financial ones that we have (or so we think).

Surely, if anyone is happy, it is them.

Really?  Do you ever read or hear the news?  One day, any day, pay attention and you will see that even the most wealthy or “successful” are being arrested; or are in financial, marital or some other type of trouble.  They smile on the red carpet; but not so much as the paparazzi hound them, or in their police photos.

Look…and you don’t even have to look that close…and you will see that they really do not seem to be very happy.  Though they may appear ecstatic at times; most of their lives seem empty, lonely and often, rather sad.  They don’t have a sense of lasting happiness.

So the first truth we need to understand is: Un-Holy Happiness is short-lived.

In the Bible, Job was a man of great wealth and many blessings.  He also was a righteous man.  And God loved him and was proud of him!  In fact, one day when Satan was in God’s presence, God made a point of asking him if he had observed faithful Job:

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?  No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.”  (Job 1:8)

Satan, of course, just sneered and responded:

“Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns?  You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread out in the land.  But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”  (Job 1:10-11)

God knew better – He knew Job, and He knew Job’s heart.  So He gave Satan permission to test Job by taking away all his wealth and possessions, even his family.  And later, God gave Satan permission to take away Job’s health, just not to kill him.  And through all of these trials Job remained faithful.  He never did curse God as Satan had predicted!

During this distressing time, Job had three friends come sit with him to offer comfort and support.  He was suffering so, that for seven days they sat with him and no one spoke.  And then they began.

If you know the book of Job, then you know his three friends did not understand what was happening in Job’s life, or why it was happening.  They assumed he had done something to make God mad.  If only he would examine himself and repent, then God would forgive him and make things better.  The only problem with their logic and advice was that it was totally wrong!  But they meant well.

During one of their discourses, Zophar spoke about un-holy people and their experience on earth.  And even though his advice to Job was wrong, he was right in his comments about the un-holy; particularly when discussing their happiness.

Don’t you know that ever since antiquity, from [the time] man was placed on the earth, the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment?  (Job 20:4)

Experience and observation are great teachers; if we will just pay attention to them.  Both teach us that happiness is fleeting.  What we have experienced and observed in others demonstrates time and time again that happiness does not last.  At least, not the kind of happiness the world knows of and daily seeks.

The emotion of happiness, like tides at the beach, rises and falls.  Sometimes we feel so happy!  And one thing can happen and we quickly feel unhappy!  Or, time just passes and we notice the elation has ebbed.

All emotions are this way – they ebb and flow.  Only Christians have Holy Happiness deep within; that deep-seated sense of being blessed.  Non-Christians do not have this happiness.  They only have access to the emotional happiness.

So when bad things happen, what do you suppose happens to their happiness?

We all know the answer.  We’ve experienced it (at the emotional level); and have observed it in others.  When bad things happen, the emotion of happiness becomes like the ocean at low tide: it’s out!  Something else is felt in its place.  Our surface level emotion has changed.

The important difference is the non-Christian has nothing deeper.  They may have money, glamour, fortune and fame; but they do not have a deeper place within, filled with a sense of being a blessed child of God.  When their surface level, emotional happiness ebbs, they have nothing else.  Sad, isn’t it?

It is true, what Zophar said: “the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment.”

Zophar gives four reasons why: “the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment.”

He focuses on the wealthy in this discourse for two reasons: (1) Job was wealthy, and Zophar is trying to influence Job; and (2) we seem to admire and idolize the wealthy and mighty.  We are prone to think, “If anyone is happy, it is them.”  Zophar wants us to understand that even the wealthy and mighty, if they are godless, have happiness that last only for a moment.  For if this is true for them, then it must be true for each of us.  Indeed each person, whether poor or wealthy, unknown or famous, weak or mighty, it rightly can be said…

I.     He will vanish.

Though his arrogance reaches heaven, and his head touches the clouds, he will vanish forever like his own dung.  Those who know him will ask, “Where is he?”  (Job 20:6-7)

Life is fleeting…even for the prideful and wealthy.  Sooner or later (and for most of us it is probably sooner rather than later, and for almost all of us it will be sooner than we want to think about) our physical life in this body will end.

It’s almost humorous the way Zophar describes this person: “…his arrogance reaches heaven, and his head touches the clouds…”  This sounds just like the famous in our society today.  They really do think rather highly of themselves.  Of course, this isn’t just a problem for the famous.

But look at what he compares them to next: “…he will vanish forever like his own dung.”  So much for thinking high and mighty about yourself!  You are as important and as lasting as… poop!

If one’s happiness is based on one’s life or importance, then ones’ happiness will end.  It will end soon.  And it will, from eternity’s perspective, have “…lasted only a moment.”

II.    His children will beg.

His children will beg from the poor, for his own hands must give back his wealth.  (Job 20:10)

I really do not like the commercials that show starving children.  I understand they do that to touch us emotionally so we will respond and send money.  And maybe many are viable and honest agencies doing good work.  But I still don’t like the images.

Does anyone enjoy seeing a child beg for food?  Imagine it was your own child; your own children.  How would you feel seeing them begging for food out on the streets?

Could anything be worse?  Maybe something could; but not many things.

The rich man who Zophar describes must “give back his wealth.”  If this does not mean he will lose some or all of it in this life, then it certainly applies when he dies.  It will not be his anymore.  It will pass into someone else’s hands.  And wealth – even great wealth – divided down through multiple generations easily becomes depleted. 

If a person is depending upon their wealth for happiness, they will be disappointed.  Imagine how happy they will feel looking back from eternity to see their children (coming generations) begging from the poor!  Truly, they will even admit their happiness “…lasted only a moment.”

III.  He will not enjoy

He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.  He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he doesn’t enjoy the profits from his trading.  (Job 20:17-18)

This wealthy person does not even get to enjoy his own wealth!  Zophar is clear: “…he doesn’t enjoy the profits from his trading.”  Perhaps he is too consumed with obtaining even more.  Certainly that is true for many who already have much today.  Perhaps his striving for wealth has left him in old age weak, spent, or alone, having neglected family and friends.

Perhaps for some there is regret; a crises of conscience.  Zophar says some “…oppressed and abandoned the poor…[and] seized a house he did not build” (vs. 19).

Whatever the reason for not being able to enjoy the profits and wealth gained, the result is the same.  He too will say: “…my happiness…lasted only a moment.”

IV.  His prosperity will not last.

Nothing is left for him to consume; therefore, his prosperity will not last.  At the height of his success distress will come to him; the full weight of misery will crush him.  (Job 20:21-22)

This is not pretty.  And maybe it is even a little surprising; especially compared to how we idealize the lives of the rich and famous.  But isn’t this true?

We see examples all the time of rich, famous, powerful people who are miserable.  Drugs, alcohol, meaningless relationships, extravagant purchases…all this and so much more are desperate attempts to find one thing.

Do you know what that one thing is?  Answer: lasting happiness.

They have a type of happiness.  But they have found it fleeting and finicky.  It is a disappointing happiness.  It is Un-Holy Happiness and it is short-lived.