A Partridge Not Hatching Her Eggs

From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

There are many, many verses in the Bible that talk about money. There are no Scriptures that denounce having wealth.  There are, in fact, many wonderful believers in the Bible who were wealthy.

Those who honestly study the Bible know that it is the love of money that is the root of all evil.  Money itself is not evil.  However, obtaining riches the wrong way is addressed in the Bible.

There is a verse in the book of Jeremiah that uses a partridge to address obtaining riches the wrong way.  The verse talks about a partridge sitting on her eggs, but then not hatching them.  Understanding why the partridge would not hatch the eggs gives great insight about seeking riches the wrong way.

Partridges are birds in the pheasant family.  They are a non-migratory Old World group. They are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Partridges are ground-nesting seed-eaters.

Why Would They Not Hatch Their Eggs?

In the lands of the Bible, the partridge would lay its eggs in a small hole in the sand, and then sit on them.  However, they are very skittish, fearful birds.  If they are startled, they will flee and abandon their eggs.

Those who seek to obtain riches the wrong way, by unethical means, such as  using others, will lose those riches.  Just as a partridge will leave her eggs and not return, so shall it be for those who get riches unethically.

Rich People

The Bible says that those who will be rich will fall into many temptations. There will be things that tempt them that those who do not have riches will not be tempted with.  While that is a great caution, it is certainly not an admonition to not be wealthy.

The Bible also talks about instructing those who are rich not to be egotistical and not to trust in riches because those riches are always uncertain.  Instead, like everyone else, they should trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Those believers who are rich should do good, be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share.

There are those who believe that money is evil and people who have wealth and prosperity need to give it all to those less fortunate.  The Bible teaches that giving of one’s abundance is a choice each one of us makes, and it is not to be compulsory.

I realize there are a number of different positions on the topic of wealth.  The point of this article is not to debate those, but rather to show from the Scriptures that obtaining riches the wrong way will have consequences.   Perhaps we can all agree, and we really should, that God is the Giver and the Supplier.

Jeremiah 17:11
As the partridge sits on eggs, and hatches them not; so he that gets riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

I Timothy 6:9 and 10
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I Timothy 6:17 and 18
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

II Corinthians 9:6-8
But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Deuteronomy 8:18
But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish his covenant which he swore unto your fathers, as it is this day.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

More Eastern Eye Articles

Economic Fears

It’s Another Video!

I kind of stumbled onto this video, not really looking for it at all.  I thought it was very timely, given the economic situations going on today.

I especially enjoyed the first half of this interview with Dave Ramsey because there are a lot of people today who are afraid.

Enjoy the video.

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Related Posts:
Are You Hanging In There?
Why Blame Him?
Do You Want To Survive Or Thrive?

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There’s More!
For past articles, click on the, “Posts” tab above.  For past videos and podcasts, mouse over the “Posts” tab above.  Look for more videos as well as more podcasts coming soon to Confidence And Joy!

We Are Reminded Every Day

sad-faceWhen was the last time you watched or listened to a news report and there was nothing reported about the economy?  Not only do we hear about the economy in every newscast, but in almost every conversation.  We are consistently reminded of how lousy the situation is.

Now if you choose to only focus on that information, you will be pretty discouraged, upset, afraid, angry, etc.  How can you stay positive and trust God when that’s all you hear every single day?

But, on the other hand, we all spend money on a regular basis, don’t we?  And there is a nice little reminder on every piece of currency that we have.  Most of the time we don’t even look at it or think about it.   We just pay the transaction and go on our merry way.

But why not stop and think about it for a moment or two?  “In God We Trust.”  Even if you are writing a check or using a debit card, those things represent money.  We can stop and remind ourselves that our trust is in our God.

Some may choose to continue to put their trust in the in-god-2government.  They will look to Uncle Sam to provide for them.  Everyone makes their own choices.

I would much rather put my trust in my Father, God, than in my Uncle San.  God has a proven track record that is impeccable.  Uncle Sam, well……

Mike

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Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Related Posts:
TV News
A lack Of Confidence

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Who Wants To be A Millionaire?

It’s Another Podcast!

In these days of economic uncertainty there is no lack of “get rich quick” schemes.  Those feeling desperate can many times buy into those kinds of offers.

In this short podcast, (about 3 minutes) I talk about one I heard recently about how you can become a millionaire!  And it is so easy! You gotta hear this!

Enjoy the podcast.

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

Related Posts:
Lottery Winners Are Broke
How Much Money Is Out There?
How Do You Define Prosperity?

Leave A Comment
We’d love to hear what you think.  Type your comment below.

Look for more podcasts as well as more videos coming soon to Confidence And Joy!

Fish With Money In Its Mouth

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book.  It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]

There is an interesting story in the gospel of Matthew in which Jesus sends Peter to catch a fish.  Jesus told Peter that there would be money in the fish’s mouth and that they would then use that money to pay the tribute tax.

Now some may wonder, especially if you like to go fishing, how could there be money in a fish’s mouth?  Many answer that question by saying that God, by way of a miracle, just put some money in that fish’s mouth.

Once again, understanding the eastern culture in which the Bible was written helps us to understand the story.

Musht Fish

musht_fishThere is a fish in the east called the Musht.  It is a small fish about six inches long with a large head.  It also has what you would call a bag, or a pouch under its mouth.

I have read that after new Musht hatch, the parents keep the new fish in the pouch for a short while to protect them.  Then when it is time, the parent fish will begin to pick up pebbles from the bottom of the sea and put them into the pouch.  This is done so the new fish will not be so comfortable – it’s time for them to leave home!

These Musht fish basically eat plankton, so at certain times of the year you can find them in very shallow water.  At times they do pick up shiny items.  Coins, gold or diamonds are shiny items.

How Do Coins Get In The Water?

In Bible times offerings to God were taken very seriously.  There were those who wanted to give an offering but did not want to receive any recognition for it.  Many believed that if you received praise from men then you had already received your reward now in this world.  They wanted to receive their reward in the next world.

So, in order to keep it private, many would throw their offerings into the waters.  Throwing their offerings into what were considered “holy waters” would be best.  But, depending on where one would be, any water would do.

3 Coins In A Fountaintrevifountain-2

Today there is a tradition of throwing coins into a fountain for “good luck.”  Perhaps the most famous is the Trevi Fountain in Rome.  When I saw it last year there were a lot of coins in there.  In fact, they say that approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into that fountain each day.

Many believe this tradition of throwing coins into fountains goes way back to Biblical times when offerings were thrown into “holy waters.”  The Ganges River is considered a holy river.  Many years ago someone estimated there was more wealth, from years and years of offerings, in that river than in all India.

Peter Sent To Catch A Fish

In the Bible account that we are considering, Jesus told Peter to go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the first fish that came up.  He went on to tell him that when he opened the fish’s mouth he would find a piece of money.

This must have been exciting for Peter.  He was a fisherman.  He knew it was possible for this type of fish to have a coin.  He also knew it was pretty rare to catch one that had a coin.  The Bible doesn’t say if he had ever caught one of these and found a coin before.

The Miracle

It was not a miracle that the fish had a coin.  The miracle was that it was the first fish that Peter caught.  Can you imagine him there all afternoon on the shore; casting in his hook, catching a fish, checking for a coin, and finding nothing?

But Peter didn’t argue. He didn’t doubt.  He believed what Jesus told him.

We too can have confidence in God’s promises.  We can accept that what God has promised us is true.  We don’t need to doubt, we just need to believe that He can and will supply all our needs.

Matthew 17:24-27
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Feel free to leave a comment, even if it’s a fishing story of your own. I have a few of those and maybe you do too.  We’d love to hear what you have to say.

For more “Eastern Eye” articles, Click Here, or click The Eastern Eye tab above.

Mike Verdicchio
______________

There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer.  Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

Please Pass The Salt!

Some people profess the Bible says money is the root of all evil.  Saying money is the root of all evil is just as silly as saying salt is the root of all evil.

I brought my salt shaker to this video.

Leave a comment!

How Do You Define Prosperity?

The United States of America is often described as a “land of opportunity and prosperity.” Many businesses and companies in the USA have documented a “prosperous year.” In fact, over the centuries, many individuals from the United States of America have been called, “very prosperous.”

But the question I have for you is, “When you hear the word, ‘prosperity,’ what does that mean to you?” When you hear that word, what do you think of? Perhaps a better question might be, “Are you a prosperous person?”

Most people equate the word “prosperity” and the phrase “being prosperous” with money. In other words, the more money you have, the more prosperous you are. If you are lacking money, then you are lacking prosperity. But what is the standard?

How Do You Define It?

The dictionary definition of “prosperous” is, “having success, flourishing, well off, favorable.” And, Biblically, to prosper simply means to have success.

But what exactly is the standard? Who decides what is or isn’t prosperity? How do you know if you are a prosperous person? You are the only one who can define prosperity for you. The fact is, it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about your life. What matters is what you think. It really is totally up to you to determine what being prosperous means for you.

There Are Two Major Downfalls

There are two major downfalls in defining prosperity. The first is the most common. It is called “denial.” That’s when people know that they are not prospering like they want to, but, they see no way to get there. So, they decide to just settle for what they have now, and try to convince themselves, and everyone else, that they are content.

You hear phrases like, “Oh, I don’t really need this or that. I can get by without it. I’m really happy with what we have and where we’re at.”

I am not talking about being grateful for the things that you have, neither am I in any way judging anyone. Being grateful for what you have is important. But, at the same time, this doesn’t mean you can’t be grateful, and still set your sights higher, too.

You Define It For Yourself

Every person really needs to determine what prosperity is for them. A lot of people who would like to see more prosperity in their life have decided to just settle for what they have now, and then call that prosperity. That’s just not honest. That is denial.

The other downfall in defining prosperity is the total opposite. It is called, “greed.” These are people who think that prosperity means acquiring everything that they can possibly get their hands on. In other words, no matter what they have, it is never enough. They have a, “whoever gets the most, wins” attitude. That is greed.

I do not pass judgment on people who have a lot of wealth. No one has the right to judge the rich or the poor. As I said, each person needs to define what prosperity means for them. But isn’t it interesting that for the most part, society hates those who have a lot, and feels sorry for those with lack?

Promises Of Abundance!

Those who have read the Bible know that there are many promises of prosperity in the Scriptures. Time and time again you can read promises of abundance. And, there are also warnings to watch out for greed. But too often, the Christian world has focused only on the warnings about greed and ignored the promises about prosperity and abundance.

Good, sincere, God loving people have been taught that to want any more than what they have right now is just being greedy. If that is true, then who are all those promises of abundance from God intended for?

When it comes to your prosperity, you are the only one who can define it. You simply decide what you want in your life. And, if along the way, you decide to change and redefine it, then go ahead and redefine it. It is your prosperity!

Since God has promised us prosperity, I really believe that it is something that is between you and God. Don’t pay attention to those who judge you. It is none of their business!

Just stay honest with God, and avoid both downfalls: greed and denial. Remember that He wants you to prosper. His supply is endless, and so is His love for you.

Mike Verdicchio

Lottery Winners Are Broke!

I am not surprised that in this economy lottery sales are up, all over the country.  Some of the information in this article may surprise you.  it may even stun you!

Have you ever seen or heard news reports about lottery winners becoming broke? Can you imagine? They have no money left!

Many lottery winners, especially those who take a lump sum are now poor. How could that possibly be? Many people think that if they could just win the lottery, their whole life would change for the best. They think that once they win all that cash, then all their problems will disappear. Therefore, week after week they buy lottery tickets, hoping to win.

I once read about a woman who won the New Jersey lottery twice! She won in 1985, and then again in 1986. She won millions. The money has been gone for a long, long time now, and she lives in a trailer. She said, “There are a lot of people out there like me who don’t know how to deal with money. Hey, some people went broke in six months. At least I held on for a few years.”

From 16.2 Million Dollars To Living On Social Security

There was a man in Pennsylvania who took home 16.2 million dollars after taxes. He had a lump sum of 16.2 million dollars! All of that money is gone and he now lives on social security. These are not isolated incidents. Circumstances just like these continue to happen repeatedly. What is the reason?

So many lottery winners are broke because winning the lottery did not change their mental attitude about finances. Receiving a big chunk of money did not change their poverty mentality. Their poor, poverty thoughts simply continued to bring to them what those thoughts have always brought to them – poverty. A recent study of people who come into a windfall shows that they will typically prioritize buying a house as number one in a list of twelve choices, while investing is at number eleven.

Who Wants To Be Poor?

I’ve never met anyone who said, “I like being poor.” It’s just the opposite, is it not? Most poor people would readily admit that they don’t like being poor. They are tired of just getting by. They are tired of scrimping and doing without just to make ends meet. They are tired of one financial crisis after another.

Perhaps you have noticed that poor people tend to talk a lot about their lack. Therein lies the problem. Those who have great lack always talk about their great lack. They will tell you all day long how lousy things are, how they never get a break and how their boss is greedy. And, worst of all, they think that none of this plight is their fault. They see themselves as victims in this cruel life. They don’t see anything changing. They see themselves destined and shackled to a life of misery, unless of course, they win the lottery.

So, what happens if they do defy the almost impossible odds? Winning the lottery may give them some cash, but it doesn’t change their mind set. They may be distracted for a while, but they still carry the same mentality wherever they go, and whatever they do. Deep down inside, they see themselves as poor and having nothing. Even though they acquire a great increase, they end up throwing it away, spending it away, or giving it away.

Where Is Your Attitude?

It is our habitual mental attitudes that do shape our lives. Our lives can and will change as we change our thoughts, and change what we dwell on. This is true for positive and negative thinking. The Bible says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” That is absolutely true for positive thinking as well as negative thinking.

Negative thoughts are destructive thoughts that neutralize all your efforts and hard work. Positive thoughts are constructive thoughts that lead you to positive results.

Change your mind by focusing on the things you do desire, instead of thinking, focusing on and complaining about the way things are right now. Continue to think about where you desire to go and what you desire to accomplish.

Change always starts with thoughts first. When those thoughts get into your heart there will be change.

Mike Verdicchio

How Much Money Is Out There?

I think it was last year I heard that a man purchased a mansion in North London for seventy million dollars.  One of the “features” was a one-ton bathroom sink carved from a single piece of onyx!  There were some other details about this mansion, but for some reason it was the sink that stuck out to me.  Oh, and course, the price.

Seventy Million Dollars

When you hear the figure, “Seventy million dollars,” what do you think?  When I was twelve years old, I had a paper route and made a whopping thirty dollars a month. Candy bars were a nickel. At that time, one hundred dollars seemed like a whole lot of money to me.

Later, at age seventeen, I worked part time at a grocery store for a dollar and sixty-five cents an hour. I now made around thirty dollars a week. At that time, one hundred dollars didn’t seem as big as it did to me a few years back, but a thousand dollars sure did.

A couple of years later, I worked at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago loading airplanes and I made around one hundred dollars a week. At this point in my life, a thousand dollars didn’t seem quite as big as it did just a couple of years before. Meanwhile, I heard that there were people who were actually making fifty thousand dollars a year. That was ten times what I was making.

It’s All Just Numbers

The point that I am trying to make is that all of this is just numbers. Whether it is 30, or 100, or 50,000, they are all just numbers. I can remember when the richest people in the world were millionaires. That seemed like something so far and distant and only available for a small few.

In the summer of 2006 when Forbes did a piece on the richest people in America, they noted that there were plenty of billionaires. Plenty of billionaires. Meanwhile, the national debt at that time was in the trillions! What is a trillion dollars? How much is that?

Some of us have heard our parents or grandparents talk about the old days and how much a nickel would buy back then. Maybe when I mentioned my paper route, it brought back some of those memories. And of course, the price and value for things continues to go up year after year. But again, it’s all just numbers.

My parents bought their house for fourteen thousand dollars. My first house cost one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Again, those are just numbers. However, it is how we perceive those numbers that will greatly affect what we will acquire and attain.

It is what we think when we hear certain numbers that is very important. People who think that to have a six figure income is just way out of reach will never have a six figure income because of the way that they perceive one hundred thousand dollars.

So How Much Is Out There?

Well then, just how much money is out there? There is plenty. Have you heard how much professional athletes make every year? Does that bother you? It shouldn’t. It should indicate to you very clearly that there is a lot of money out there.

In addition, have we uncovered all the treasures on this planet? Has every invention already been invented? Are there no new avenues to pursue?

When the Creator put this world together, He knew that there were going to be a lot of people living here! He planned very well for great growth and expansion. He planned it with a supply far beyond what any of us could imagine.

So, here’s the bottom line. We live on a planet filled with an abundance of resources as well as many things not yet discovered. There is enough money floating around all over the world that some people can spend seventy million dollars on a house!

Is It Out Of Range For You?

Maybe we need to check our brains to see if we think something is out of range for us. If we truly believe a six-figure income is not attainable, we will not attain it. But just remember that the supply is not lacking. And, God promised to supply all that we need.

So in pursuing your dreams and your goals, keep in mind that when it comes to amounts of money it’s all just numbers. Don’t let an extra zero shake you up. And don’t forget that there is plenty to go around and plenty for all you need!

Mike Verdicchio