Just as every man is given THE measure of faith, (“God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”) every person is given the ability to experience pleasure and an obligation to endure (some) pain. 

 

     “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”.

 

It’s the same “measure” whether “born with a silver spoon” or in a third world slum.   We all have an automatic threshold of pain tolerance/ intolerance and pleasure ceiling/floor built into our very flesh (brain endorphins etc.) that becomes active when taken beyond that measure.  What each individual does to manage that “Measure” determines his acuity for dealing with adversity and temptation.  

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is: 

“Like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it”. 

-The Savior  

 

Looking at this in simplified financial terms makes it easy to explain and understand.  Our ability to experience pleasure and pain are a little like financial assets and liabilities.  We can, to a limited degree, choose when to “spend” pleasure assets and “pay” pain liabilities.  When we spend assets we decrease assets available or, if we over-spend, create a deficit.  Bear in mind also that spending (enjoying non-sin pleasure) wisely can also be beneficial. Pleasure in moderation can contribute to our attitude and over all health and well being. 

 

We can avoid pain and delay the inevitable momentarily but if we instead endure it we can gain invaluable insights about righteousness, sin, compassion and forgiveness etc.  Take, for instance, a burn injury.  If we put cold water on a burn the pain instantly subsides and can initially reduce injury, if we remove it the pain quickly returns but if we continue putting water on it every time the pain returns the overall time of pain experienced is extended greatly.  Stop the water and endorphins “take over” after several minutes (depending, of course, on the severity of the burn) as opposed to a much longer pain/relief cycle.  Reminiscent of 2 Samuel 24:13-16.  I suspect that David chose very wisely.

 

We can choose to resist pain or endure it intentionally for a period of time i.e. fasting, repentance, lamentation etc.) or… we can also choose to “invest”. 

 

The basics:

 

Pleasure:

When we choose to enjoy pleasure (without sin of course) we temporarily suspend some of our ability to “experience” pleasure.  If we spend all our spare time seeking the pleasures this world has to offer, we can create a “deficit” of the ability to “feel” pleasure.  Just like the drug (or other) addict that requires more & more to get less & less.  This is more a result of the human psyche and available endorphins (or lack thereof) than it is the drugs actual effectiveness or physical intolerance to them.  If we continue to bask in pleasure as much as possible, we can create a situation where “nothing is fun anymore” (dirge of the rich and famous) and spend progressively more & more money, endorphins or other assets while experiencing less & less enjoyment. 

 

We can choose to “save” pleasure enjoyment for a “rainy day”, so to speak, essentially lowering our pleasure threshold (effectively raising pleasure experience) which can be prudent in some circumstances.  If we invest our pleasure (worship, praise etc.) while walking in holiness, righteousness and humility before God, more often than not, this “investing” will lead to a “running over” effect and pleasure will find you of it’s own accord producing great joy in even the simplest of things, regardless of prevailing circumstances. 

 

Under less than ideal circumstances, too much avoidance (saving) of pleasure (religious extremism for example) could also lead to loss through emotional stagnation, resulting in impatience, anger, frustration, legalism etc. or, in a worst case, even severe depression or other psychological or even physiological illness.  In other words, “It is good for a man to enjoy the fruits of his own labors” (Eccles 5:18).  The point is we need to strive to stay in balance within certain parameters avoiding extremes in either direction.

 

Bear in mind that unconfession, unrepentance, unforgiveness or pride subjectively changes everything, causing the whole to become unstable, yielding unexpected or confusing results and deplete psychological, emotional or endorphin resources very quickly.

 

Pain:

Every person is appointed to experience “the measure” of pain in life.  Mat 10:38  “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”   That said, it’s not wrong to seek help, artificial or otherwise, in order to cope with severe (over the limit) acute or chronic illness, injury or emotional loss, although, those so suffering can benefit from prior pleasure “investment”.  Also note that causing or ignoring pain in others will significantly add to our pain debt liability.

 

If we have the financial (or other) resources we might choose to “defer payment” (creating a quickly diminishing return) by attempting to avoid discomfort, thereby depleting resources and gaining only temporary relief while facing increasingly expensive options, all the while the debt accumulating and compounding and creating circumstances, if neglected too long, that can force us to experience “the measure” in a more devastating way.  Proverbs 24:15-16.

 

That being the case we could end up paying this avoided “debt” in physical pain, mental anguish such as grief over the loss of a loved one, (not that it actually caused a death but rather that it affected our ability to cope with the grief) or other emotional, relational or financial “pain”, again, not necessarily affecting our actual finances per se* but rather diminishing our ability to cope with problems. 

 

*Financial accountability and consequence is a subject beyond the scope of this writing. 

 

This pain debt will get “paid in full” one way or the other either in small regular installments on purpose (“caring for widows and orphans” “feeding the poor” for example) or, regrettably, all at once if we’re not mindful of what’s at work “behind the veil”.  Keeping this debt “paid in full” willingly even joyfully and in a timely manner when due (pruning) will produce “more fruit” in our life and character.

 

Investing:

The extremely good news is that we can also choose to “invest” these assets and “satisfy” the liabilities in a way* that actually increases the “threshold” of our ability, allowing us to experience more pleasure and less pain.  When we get established in the returns that result, we can even share an excess with others as a temporary solution for those caught in circumstances beyond their control or competence.  This can be a very real help in the time of need.

 *(2chronicles 34:27, Joel 2:17, James 4:9-10 and Luke 6:21:           

“Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh”.

 

Beware of “gifting” for personal gain, either for money, ministry building, nor “goods and services” or favors, or used prejudicially with favoritism   (please take this warning very seriously and remember it if things seem to run afoul).  This is not an exact science because there are many adverse contingencies not the least of which is:  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he “may” (we allow to) devour”.

 

Some may think that praying for someone, asking God to help them, is the only solution but God may be calling on you to BE the answer, He blessing both donor and recipient. 

 

Be aware that some “marginal” believers could become dependent on this (you) as an alternative rather than a temporary assistance.  Also low self esteem or friendless “gifters” may be tempted to amass recipients (dependants).  Inappropriate use must not be encouraged, everyone is to learn to manage their own estate but having information on how things work behind the scenes can help put one in the driver’s seat rather than being helplessly dragged along behind unaware of what’s actually transpiring in the “Kingdom” realm. 

 

When it comes to “investing”, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has the only “bank” in town.  So how do I invest?  Enjoy God.  No really, that’s it!  Spend your pleasure assets on God and residing in His presence.  There are so many ways but each of us will have to consult God and scripture to determine what his own lot is, though, always remembering that investing is never a substitute for righteousness, holiness, humility etc. 

 

Studying and walking in scripture is an investment; spending time uncovering the deep truths of God (not just unfocused obligatory reading) is an investment in God’s Word.  Worship & Praise (in Spirit and in Truth) are an investment in personal Spiritual resonance as well as emotional stability.  We can also invest into the lives of other believers.  Under some circumstances laboring to bring relief to those in need (applies only to believers in need) can also count as “paying down” our own pain debt as well as an investment into Kingdom principles. 

 

No need for a full list of “investment strategies”.  A few Examples will get things started.  Scripture gives many examples, but even they are probably not a comprehensive list.  It’s up to us through study, meditation and prayer to uncover revelations about what God is calling each of us to: Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search a matter out”

 

The process of spending or saving pleasure is as natural as being human and as available as pain is obligatory to every human being.  Whether a believer or not, this is as unavoidable as the “law” of gravity.  Investing, however, is only available to the righteous, to actual “blood bought, Spirit born, law abiding” Saints.