I read John Piper's book, "The Dangerous Duty of Delight" while waiting in line at the Immigration office here in Italy a couple of years back and found a couple of great quotes. The booklet is basically an extremely condensed version of his larger work, "Desiring God" which I have also read. Here is the quote that stuck out to me most:
"The message that needs to be shouted from the housetops is: Listen, world! You are not nearly hedonistic enough! You are far too easily pleased. You are like children making mud pies in the slum because you cannot imagine what a holiday at the sea is like. Stop laying up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven! (Matthew 6:19-20)
"Quit being satisfied with little 2-percent yields of pleasure that get eaten up by moths of inflation and the rust of death. Invest in the blue-chip, high-yield, divinely insured securities of heaven. Giving your life to material comforts and thrills is like throwing money down a rat hole. But a life invested in the labor of love yields dividends of joy unsurpassed and unending - even if it costs you your property and your life on this earth.
"Come to Christ in whose presence are fullness of joy and pleasures forever more... For the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ has spoken: It is more blessed to love than to live in luxury!"
2 comments:
I tagged you on my blog. Have an awesome day!
"Sensual, experiential" Isn't that part of the point? The connotation that it is sinful and worldly pleasure is why he chose it I believe- that pleasure is not nearly great enough. There is a much greater sensual experience to be had, and lasting pleasure to be found. We are to rejoice, take joy, revel in the Lord. What is more sensual and experiential then David's praise of the Lord. John Piper is redeeming emotions and senses from our reactionary and often stagnant conservative churches in a way that is Biblical and honors God.
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