Spoiled

What is your response when you hear a reference made to the “spoiling” of children?

If your first response is anything like mine, a spontaneous smile may come to your face as you perhaps reflect on a recollection of having spoiled your own precious little one; though, like me, you may also substitute another word for “spoiled!”

When I consider the actual meaning of a particular word by checking the dictionary, I am usually surprised to find that the word carries a deeper root meaning than I usually think about when using the word.

“Spoil n. 1a:  plunder taken from an enemy in war or from a victim in robbery:  loot; 2a: spoliation, plundering; 2b: the act of damaging: harm, impairment;” taken from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

There is no positive implication of “spoil” in that definition which states plainly that ‘spoil’ is “the act of damaging:  to harm” or impair in some way.

Nothing to smile about, is it?  “Spoiled kids” doesn’t sound any more pleasant than “spoiled food!”?  We are horrified at the very thought of damage or harm or impairment coming to one of our dearly loved ones, whether child or adult.

 It is much too easy for me to impulsively over-indulge those whom I love.  I see now that many of my prayers to God for my loved ones have been that He, too, would indulge them by blessings only, and never hardships, sufferings, trials and temptations.

Amy Carmichael had this to say in her devotional book, “The Edges of His Ways,”  on page 194:  “How often have I found myself asking for relief for those I love, just simple blessed relief from the grinding pressure of the stones; but would not another, a braver, deeper kind prayer help them far more?”

She includes this meaning of the word “tribulation” from Revelation 2:9:  “the pressure of stones that grind the wheat, or that force the juice out of the grape.”

She goes on to explain, “The making of Bread and Wine, nothing less, is the purpose of that pressure; and He who weighs the winds measures the force of the pressure.  Of this we can be sure.  What about our prayers for those who are under pressure?  Are they of the earth, earthy, or are they Heavenly in quality?”

Then she writes, “Bread and Wine – the very words are hallowed.  Let us pray alongside our Lord as He makes of mortal souls, through pressure, something that will be used for the life of the world, Bread and Wine.”

Ms. Carmichael ends this particular writing thought with acceptance to the Father for whatever He chooses to do in all of life, in Jesus’ own words:  “Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure.” (Luke 10:21b.)

I think it is a very good thing that I do not have access to unlimited amounts of money for I would be inclined to indulge my children and grandchildren beyond any good outcome for them.

 I would, I am afraid, certainly “spoil” them forever from understanding the wealth of wisdom that comes from living on a budget and having our needs met by our heavenly Father, and that by not having everything we want, we learn to save and determine a ‘want’ from a  ‘need’.’

God is so good in that He never indulges His children to their own detriment.  Rather, He always does what is best for us as His children.  And sometimes what is best for us may be a season or passing moment in time spent in pain, and uncertainty.

If for no other reason (and I am convinced there are more reasons than finite minds can comprehend for the trials, sufferings and hardships of life), they surely teach us our need of God and our utter dependence upon His abundance.

His generosity is not limited to material matters either.  He gives liberally to all people opportunities to be blessed by the exercise of seeking His face spiritually.

Many, many times just when I am on the verge of sinking into despair because it seems that I have blown away all chance of ever feeling His closeness and peace again, suddenly He envelops me in such an assurance of His love and constant presence with me that I can scarcely take it in and process it in my mind. 

Would we, then, intentionally deprive our precious loved ones the joy of perhaps discovering their own personal relationships with God Himself because we could give them all the material goods their fleshly, human hearts could desire in this earthly, temporary, and highly deceptive life on earth?

We would never consciously choose to indulge them materially to the point they might no longer feel a spiritual need for God in their personal lives.

Our desire as Christians is that all people would find their eternal security in the salvation that only Jesus Christ can give because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the pathway to God.  There is absolutely no other name given under heaven whereby one may be saved.   John 14:6 and Acts 4:12.

The pressure of the stones of life as Christ is formed in us and in our children and grandchildren often times turn out to be some of life’s very best ‘gifts.’  Never then should we want to deprive our loved ones of the trials that would bring them into closer fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Galatians 4:19. 

Jesus and the Holy Spirit:  Bread and Wine for the life of the world that was so loved by God that He gave His only begotten Son to redeem people that any one of us might be drawn back into unbroken fellowship with Himself.

Jesus told His disciples during His final days on earth:  “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33.

And because of that, we can take courage for He gives us His peace and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

In this world, all people will encounter trouble, trial, and woe, including warfare - spiritual warfare.  Because of this warning, we are well advised to avail ourselves of the abundance of knowledge and wisdom that God imparts through Christ, who has been made Wisdom from God for us – and our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  See 1 Corinthians 1:30.

This is God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began…but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God that we may understand what God has freely given us…. “But we have the mind of Christ.”  See 1 Corinthians chapters 1 and 2.

Jesus and the Holy Spirit – inseparable:  The Bread and Wine that abundantly ‘feeds’ the world! 

Let us turn to The Holy Bible, the Word of the Living God for He has made it open and available to us by His Holy Spirit:  “But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.”  1 Corinthians 1:10.

Happy exploring of The Treasure Book:  God’s Holy Word, the Holy Bible.