One of the top news stories early in
2007 in Ontario Canada Sarnia
With the supply shortage, gas pump prices began to skyrocket. Again, how can this be justified? It hadn’t cost them any more to process and deliver than it did before the shortage. It’s all about supply and demand we are told, which in essence means we’ll pay as much as they think we’ll pay before we stop buying.
All of this leads me to Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Nothing “new under the sun” is an understatement. This type of behaviour has always been with us and all ways will. It doesn’t justify it but we should not be surprised by it. For you see, we don’t have to look far to see that even within the deep crevices of our own life it is there. Our competitive, getting one up on another attitude can easily come to the surface. When the opportunity arises, the temptation is right there as well; the temptation to take advantage. It’s not just the oil companies, banks, insurance companies and such that do this; it’s the people behind these businesses or institutions that do it. People just like us.
However God calls his people to a higher standard. The temptation is still there but the call to live differently is there as well! The writer of Psalms 15:1-3 (NLT) says it well, “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends.” What could easily be added is …. “and those who do not take advantage of others.”
There is a wonderful and meaningful quote that I would like to leave with you by Thomas a Kempis, in the Imitation of Christ (German mystic & religious author (1380 - 1471)). He says, “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.”
I appreciate the opportunity to speak my mind; and I should do that! But at the same time, I’m reminded of my own shortages and need of a Saviour so that my life may be filled to the full! Amen!
[1] GlobeandMail.com Posted AT 11:39 AM EST ON 21/02/07
With the supply shortage, gas pump prices began to skyrocket. Again, how can this be justified? It hadn’t cost them any more to process and deliver than it did before the shortage. It’s all about supply and demand we are told, which in essence means we’ll pay as much as they think we’ll pay before we stop buying.
All of this leads me to Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Nothing “new under the sun” is an understatement. This type of behaviour has always been with us and all ways will. It doesn’t justify it but we should not be surprised by it. For you see, we don’t have to look far to see that even within the deep crevices of our own life it is there. Our competitive, getting one up on another attitude can easily come to the surface. When the opportunity arises, the temptation is right there as well; the temptation to take advantage. It’s not just the oil companies, banks, insurance companies and such that do this; it’s the people behind these businesses or institutions that do it. People just like us.
However God calls his people to a higher standard. The temptation is still there but the call to live differently is there as well! The writer of Psalms 15:1-3 (NLT) says it well, “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends.” What could easily be added is …. “and those who do not take advantage of others.”
There is a wonderful and meaningful quote that I would like to leave with you by Thomas a Kempis, in the Imitation of Christ (German mystic & religious author (1380 - 1471)). He says, “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.”
I appreciate the opportunity to speak my mind; and I should do that! But at the same time, I’m reminded of my own shortages and need of a Saviour so that my life may be filled to the full! Amen!
[1] GlobeandMail.com Posted AT 11:39 AM EST ON 21/02/07
