The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 2:21-26, “When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.

22 For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun?

23 Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.

24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God.

25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?

26 For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”

Unless I miss my guess, there are a host of people (some of whom may even be reading this) who are identified and unmasked by the Scripture passage above. It’s not that they don’t have a job, or that it brings them no compensation for their labor; rather, it’s that they see no true value in the work itself.

The tendency of many is to view tasks as “painful and grievous,” so that the mind does not rest. Thus, it is the LORD who gives mankind the privilege to work productively. Further still, it is the LORD who gives man strength to work; and the work produces wages whereby man and his family might live. Not every man’s work is the same; still, the strength to labor in production is and ever will be from the LORD!

Everything being said, where would man or his work be without the LORD? When we are thankful, we look to Him with gratitude. “Bless the LORD, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.”

–Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 15:3-9, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good. 4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. 5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is prudent. 6 Much wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves him who pursues righteousness.”

Have you ever had the feeling that someone was watching you? You take shelter against his view but keep a close eye on him, simultaneously anticipating any next move he might make.

There is no proof, apart from the sufficient, infallible proof of Holy Scripture, that the all-seeing eye of the LORD is beholding everything in which you and I are engaged. Yet, we need no further proof. Every person on Earth is currently involved in something, and the LORD is there to aid and assist His own in their pursuits. He is supremely supportive of those whose hearts are fully given to His work.

You and I may have distinctly different reasons for the things that we do; yet, because we know Christ, He is profoundly interested in us and in all the thoughts and ventures in which we are involved. May we always pray about our ventures. May we always seek His support in everything we undertake, for without Him we can do nothing.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Exodus 22:9-14, “For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 “If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while no one is looking,

11 an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them, that he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

12 “But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

13 “If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

14 “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.”

Fairness and honesty were cardinal requirements that the LORD laid upon His people.

They relate to “every breach of trust,” and He has never revised nor removed them. If differences arise between two neighbors and are without resolution, the matter is to be brought before the judges. What the judges determine will be the final resolution.

If an animal is borrowed and suffers hurt or death, and there is no witness, so that the borrower is alone with his assessment of what occurred, then an impartial judge is to hear the case, and his determination of the situation will be final.

Our system of justice today purports to follow this ancient procedure. I’m sure there were difficulties in ancient times, just as there are today. Nevertheless, the LORD in the heavens above beholds all that transpires; and it is certain that we will pay a price if we, in any way, deal unfairly with our fellow men. Remember, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3), so be careful!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.”
–Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 17:24, “Then the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.’”

Psalm 119:160, “The sum of Thy Word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.”

Isaiah 39:8, “Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘The Word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.’ For he thought, ‘For there will be peace and truth in my days.'”

John 17:17, “’Sanctify them in the truth; Thy Word is truth.’”

Four times the Bible says, “Thy Word is truth.” In the first instance, the prophet Elijah had raised a woman’s son from the dead. Her belief became real when her son was brought back to life; so she said, “Now I know that you are a man of God…”

In the second instance, and with years of spiritual observation behind him, David says that the Word of the LORD is truth; further, that it is everlasting.

In the third instance, King Hezekiah had a motivation for thinking that the “Word of the LORD” would produce peace and truth in the days of his life.

But, the Apostle John summarized it all with the words, “Thy Word is truth.”

So much of the value of truth has vanished from our world today. Truth seems to elude so many. It is difficult (sometimes, impossible) to discern where truth is in the thinking of those who claim to possess it. It takes little to no time to ascertain the lack of truth in the preaching of some who proclaim to possess and produce all truth.

Still, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Do you always tell the truth? Be honest with yourself. Jesus alone is truth and life; and it is His truth alone that guarantees to set you free!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

until He becomes all that we have” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 13:5-9, “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’

6 so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’

7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the Word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.”

It may be your lot in life to be so physically attractive and possessive of monetary substance that everyone who beholds you is instantly smitten with envy. Yet, what is more to be desired is a character “free from the love of money” and possessed of an intimate fellowship with the LORD Jesus Christ.

Please don’t misunderstand. It is not wrong to be lavished with riches; it’s how you handle all with which you have been endowed. Note carefully how confidently the apostle speaks, reminding us that “the LORD is (our) helper.” It is He who blesses us with all that we have. Thus, we must be ever so careful to rightfully handle that with which we’ve been entrusted.

Of equal importance, we must not be carried away from His Truth by the erroneous teachings of false purveyors. Believe me, they abound in our day! There’s an old saying that warns: “All that glitters is not gold.” And the same may be applied to those who speak with glitter! Twice in Scripture we read: “Thy Word is truth” (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). And His Truth alone should be permitted to invade our lives.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

until He becomes all that we have” – Corrie ten Boom