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All merchandise comes out of the
ground. Quality products are simply
those resulting from more careful
and conscientious selection of better
materials, which are made into an
object by more thoughtful, better–
designed and more painstaking
craftsmanship. Inferior merchandise
comes from indifferent selection of
materials and less conscientious and
careful workmanship. God's way is
the quality way!
Is good quality "extravagance"?
Many people do not realize the true
meaning of the word "extrava–
gance." Webster's definition: "A
spending of more than is reasonable
or necessary; excessive expenditure;
wastefulness." God's quality, then,
is
NOT
extravagance unless it is ex–
cessive.
But what if you can't afford the
best quality? Then purchase only
what you are able - always live
within your means - and be satis–
fied with such as you have. But, be
industrious, doing what you do the
best you can and if you really Iive
God's way, in due time he will pros–
per you so that you can afford bet–
ter.
Yet, never set your heart on phys–
ical things. In the quotation from
Jesus mentioned above (Mark
10:23-24), it was not the possession
ofwealth that Jesus said would keep
a man out of the kingdom of God -
but the
TRUSTING
in those riches.
David wamed us that, when God
prospers us, we should be careful
not to set our hearts on the prosper–
ity.
Through John, Jesus says: "Be–
loved, I wish above aU things that
you mayest prosper and be in
health" (III John 2). Look at the
prosperity of the patriarch Joseph:
"And the Lord was with Joseph, and
he was a
PROSPEROUS
man. . . . the
Lord made all that be did to pros-
10
per ..." (Genesis 39:2-3). Job was
the wealthiest man in the East. After
he leamed his lesson, God gave him
double his original wealth. The
greatest national prosperity was
promised by God to the descen–
dants of Abraham if they would
diligently follow his way.
Prosperity is not a sin.
It
is a
BLESSING.
God is the giver of abun–
dance and prosperity. But carnal
man usually sets bis heart on the
wealth, instead of God. He malees it
an idol in which he trusts. That is
the sin.
It
is God's will that we prosper, be
obedient to him, with our hearts set
on him, relying solely on him. Then
when we prosper - when God gives
abundance of good things- of good
quality - he wants us to be appre–
ciative, grateful, give him thanks,
enjoy what he has blessed us with,
all the while trusting and worship–
ing him and realizing we shall have
the material things in but a short
time.
One businessman whom God had
blessed with a very nice borne well
furnished with good quality things
put it this way: "My attitude toward
it is like it was when 1 was assigned
to a very fine hotel room for over–
night. 1 said:
'1
will enjoy it these
few fleeting moments, give God
thanks, be appreciative, try to use
it
as facilities for serving God, obtain–
ing a good night's rest, and then
leave it and go on my way in the
moming, never looking back with
any regrets at leaving it.' Thafs my
attitude toward my very nice borne.
If 1 had to leave it forever tomorrow
moming, there would be no regrets
- just thanksgiving that God let me
enjoy it for the little time 1 had it.
This life doesn't last long - and we
soon leave everything in it. I'm
merely a transient sojourner here,
looking forward to something more
real and permanent in God's king–
dom."
But what about one who never
had this understanding- and now,
at middle age or older, reaUzes what
has been lost?
lt
may be no fault of
the person at all. But everyone
should .do all he can, from the time
he awakens to this truth. Forget the
past. ·Begin where you are, and start
living God's way!
What about good manners, cloth–
ing and proper attire?
There is much sophisticated "cul–
ture" in this world that is pure snob–
bishness and vanity. But
TRUE
culture is based on God's great law:
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself." That part of culture and
good manners which expresses con–
cero for one's neighbor in polite–
ness, graciousness, pleasantness,
smiles and service is true culture.
About dress? Yes, one should
dress according to the occasion, and
also within reason according to his
pocketbook. On Ambassador Col–
lege campuses, during work hours,
students dress in the proper work
clothes for the job. During classes,
they do not "dress up," but men
often come in shirt sleeves and open
collar - yet clean, neat and orderly.
For an evening function, they dress
up in whatever is their best - and if
they cannot afford better than they
have, that's quite all right.
But for a wedding or graduation
exercises, they should dress properly
- in the best they have. Is that
being "stuck up"? Never! Jesus gave
a parable picturing the wedding be–
tween himself and his church. The
king in this parable is God, and his
son is Jesus Christ. Notice:
"And when the king carne in to
see the guests, he saw there a man
which had not on a wedding gar–
ment: and he saith unto him,
Friend, how camest thou in hither
not having a wedding garment?
And he was speechless. Then said
the king to the servants, Bind hirn
hand and foot, and take him away,
and cast him into outer darkness"
(Matthew 22: ll-13).
The Bible teaches tbe principie of
proper attire according to the occa–
sion. Bodily apparel is also used in
the Bible to symboUze character.
There is a kind of pride that is
NOT
vaoity, but rather concern for others
and respect toward God. That kind
of prid.e we should have.
o
PLAIN TRUTH June-July 1974