Thematic Bible: Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life
Thematic Bible
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Sought by the epicureans as the chief aim of life
I thought to myself, "Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile." But I found that it also is futile.
They lie around on beds decorated with ivory, and sprawl out on their couches. They eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the middle of the pen.
If from a human point of view I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what did it benefit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
Also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him, and some were asking, "What does this foolish babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods." (They said this because he was proclaiming the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.)
There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.
I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.
So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.
Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.
But look, there is outright celebration! You say, "Kill the ox and slaughter the sheep, eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Luxurious living, examples of
They lie around on beds decorated with ivory, and sprawl out on their couches. They eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the middle of the pen.
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
When those days were completed, the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly. It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace. The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone.
Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king's expense.
Each day Solomon's royal court consumed thirty cors of finely milled flour, sixty cors of cereal, ten calves fattened in the stall, twenty calves from the pasture, and a hundred sheep, not to mention rams, gazelles, deer, and well-fed birds.
All of King Solomon's cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold. There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon's time. Along with Hiram's fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Prodigality, general references to
They drink wine from sacrificial bowls, and pour the very best oils on themselves. Yet they are not concerned over the ruin of Joseph.
After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle.
But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'
The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.
There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Spiritual death
treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.
You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Wantonness
For by speaking high-sounding but empty words they are able to entice, with fleshly desires and with debauchery, people who have just escaped from those who reside in error.
You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Poverty
The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
But look, there is outright celebration! You say, "Kill the ox and slaughter the sheep, eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » False security
So now, listen to this, O one who lives so lavishly, who lives securely, who says to herself, 'I am unique! No one can compare to me! I will never have to live as a widow; I will never lose my children.' Both of these will come upon you suddenly, in one day! You will lose your children and be widowed. You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies, despite your many incantations and your numerous amulets.
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Desire for incessant revelry
suffering harm as the wages for their harmful ways. By considering it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight, they are stains and blemishes, indulging in their deceitful pleasures when they feast together with you.
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Presumption
And I will say to myself, "You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!"'
Worldly » Pleasure results of a pleasure-seeking life » Spiritual barrenness
As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
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