Play Vs. Work? Toys Vs. Tools?

PLAY VS WORK? TOOLS VS. TOYS?

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Do you know what is called the oldest toy in the world? The stick may just be the oldest toy. Sticks can be an endless source of pretend and make believe. A stick can be a horse, a gun, a magic wand, a sword or anything you can imagine.

I was at a state wide ministers meeting. One of the main leaders was very involved with his computer. He was so busy typing with the keys and observing what was going on… On the second day I maneuvered around so to see what was keeping this leader so busy. I saw over his shoulder he was playing games and solitary. I thought this is really spiritual?

I was preaching in a distant city. I noticed many of the young people were sitting in one area. I was amazed at how together they were. So as I was preaching I slowly walked toward them. They had several extension cords plugged into

a wall socket. They had wires ran from one device to another. So all the teens were playing and competing with each other. There was no worship accomplished.

GAME: To play for recreation, to play for fun or competition for amusement or pastime. A CONTEST, to accept a physical or mental challenge, to play or sport, to be competitive, to play according to rules, skills, strength or luck.

TOY: something to play with, an object to play with, dolls, animals, trucks, cars, action figures, computers. Toys can be educational or for amusement.

PLAY: (FUN) to enjoy for recreation, not serious.

WORK: (EFFORT) To transfer energy, to earn livelihood, task. THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT DONE TO ACHIEVE A PURPOSE.

TOOL: an implement to help accomplish work. Hammer, wrench, saws, shovel ETC.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SUGGESTS WAS THE FIRST GAME PLAYED ON EARTH? HIDE AND SEEK.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Adam and Eve played games with the devil. The enemy isolated, divided and conquered Eve and then Adam.

HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED THE ROLE OF REBELLION? THERE WAS A WONDERFUL VICTORY AT JERICHO. THEN THE BATTLE TURNS TO AI. 36 SOLDIERS DIE? WHY? REMEMBER THE SAD STORY OF ACHAN? ACHAN PLAYED A STUPID GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK. ACHAN NEVER SPENT ANY OF THE GOLD… OR WORE ANY OF THE CLOTHES.

Joshua 7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

Joshua 7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.

ACHAN PLAYED WITH ETERNITY BY MOCKING AND DISOBEYING MOSES’ COMMAND…

Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

IN ISREAL TODAY YOU CAN FIND A PILE OF ROCKS HEAPED UP OVER ACHAN AND HIS FAMILY’S GRAVE… THE VALLEY OF ACHOR… THE VALLEY OF ACHOR WITNESS DON’T PLAY HIDE AND SEEK WITH SIN.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE SPIRITUAL GAME OF MONOPOLY… GIVE ME, IT IS MINE… THE EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF MATERIALISM. THERE IS A BATTLE OF”I, ME AND MINE…” IN MONOPOLY.

Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

He who has the most toys when he dies is still dead as a door nail. So we gain the whole world? NO WHAT.