At What Point - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-6

4:1-2 - It's been a while and I can definitely feel the lack of the scriptures in my life and I've really missed them. But I have been working really hard on my other project that has consumed most of my time plus it's been really busy at work. But I have a few minutes now and really want to get back into the game whenever I can. I anticipate being able to come back full time in about 2 weeks, I really hope. If I recall correctly, Paul's letter to the Thessalonians was one that was prompted not from some doctrinal misunderstanding but because they had remained faithful to the gospel after Paul left and he wanted to convey his gratefulness for their steadfastness. He asks them to "walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." This could be a long of the lines of the more we are righteous the more we can live in an abundant mindset, not only receiving physical blessings but also spiritual knowledge and uplift. It could also be referring to spiritual growth, the more we choose righteousness, the more righteousness chooses us. 4:3-5 - He then asks them, kind of our left field "that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God." This seemed out of nowhere until the IM said, "In Paul's day, sexual relations outside of marriage were tolerated and accepted by many Gentiles. Since most of the new members of the Church in Thessalonica were Gentile converts who had 'turned to God from idols,' Paul felt the need to strengthen their understanding of gospel principles regarding chastity. As far as possessing our "vessels" this is a call to the vessels used in temple ordinances anciently. The article on this chapter from gospeldoctrine.com says, "Offering vessels provide a comparison with human beings throughout the scriptures. Just as an offering vessel can be sacred when presented at the temple and profane when used for common produce, humans can be sanctified or polluted." I guess the question here is how do we become sacred vessels, especially if we have been absolutely filthy at one point or another? I would imagine that it has to do with the process of being purified by the Holy Ghost. Our efforts don't have to be perfect, they can't be, but they do have to be meaningful and purposeful. It is not possible for us to keep the commandments perfectly, but it is possible for us to keep the commandments the best that we can. Our actions don't have to be 100%, but our efforts do. As we try our best, the Holy Ghost creates in us a different person, over time. That is the sanctification process, from my point of view anyway. 4:6 - In addition to controlling ourselves physically, especially when it comes to sex, Paul also asks the Thessalonians "that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that they Lord is the avenger of all such." I've struggled with this concept lately, not wanting to go steal from anyone myself, and not even one individual stealing from another, but for people to use their power and position to "defraud" others who are at their mercy. I think "defraud" is the perfect word for this because take for instance those who own large companies and make millions of dollars. Is it their right to do so? Sure. Did they earn it? Not any more than their employees. And I guess what I'm trying to say is that the greed and entitlement that has taken over this world has created situation where company owner create their millions by stepping on the necks of the workers or consumers and I really just have to ask myself, is it so important that you have a 5th yacht but take away your employees ability to go to the doctor or to save for retirement? Is it at all possible for someone to make more money than they'll ever need while providing a living wage for their employees? Is it so important that we sell out the rights of our citizenry to get kick backs or bribes from "lobbyists." And when I read that "the Lord is the avenger of all such," it was such sweet music to my ears because yes Jesus loves the millionaire, but does he not also love the employee who has to work two full time jobs to put food on the table for her kids? He's like the life of the millionaire but he's also lived the life of the homeless single mother, and trust me when I say that he is not pleased with the lack of effort to care for the poor and needy. I was watching a tv show with my brother a couple of months ago about these people who owned these crazy expensive houses and they were building pools in their backyards that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, just for the pool. And as amazing as these pools were I asked my brother, "at what point is it a sin to be so rich that you spend your money on this and not helping others?" And as someone who is hoping to be rich one day, I have to ask myself that question. And really, I do just fine for myself now. I have to ask, at what point am I just living comfortably and at what point am I living extravagantly?