Job 22:1-2

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

Is a man of benefit to God?

   Even when the wisest is serving Him?

 

Good question. I remember watching Family Feud as a kid and ‘Good answer.’ in the proper tone was a great compliment. So that is the tone in which I use ‘Good Question.‘ here.

‘Man’ was also ‘mortal’ once. ‘Is’ was ‘will’ once and ‘can’ five times. ‘Benefit’ was also ‘use’, ‘profitable’, ‘avail’, and in ‘Is there anything a man can do for’.

‘Wise’ was also ‘clever’ and ‘discerning’. ‘Serving’ was also ‘in harmony with’.

The other night, I was contemplating the costs of becoming famous. I wondered if I would have to take this blog down if I got famous. I am not perfect, so I know some of these would offend someone. I am not one to offend others on purpose, but as a Christian interacting with the world, I know it happens. In a crowd the other week, I bumped into a person who was not following the crowd going the opposite way. I can make assumptions about what they thought, but I know they did not protest afterwards, so I think they knew they were in the wrong. Not that I was perfect.

The two thoughts that come to mind on this verse are having a dog or having a cat. The dog and most cats become totally dependent on the owner. I am totally dependent on God. If I could do anything for Him, it would be only because He gave me the opportunity, ability, etc. I remember our dogs fondly, but we had to care for them, we being my mom mostly. I am not as fond of the cats, but since we decided they are indoor cats, they are totally dependent upon us. They ate all their food last night, but luckily for me, they won’t cry before seven if my wife is not home.

 In my view of all this, God delights in people who love Him. That is more than enough reason for God to get a benefit from us if we love Him. Anything else is gravy. The goal of my life is to produce as much gravy so that I can hear ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ I need to eliminate anything that doesn’t work towards that.

Written 7/6/26, Posted 8/15/26, Job 521/~1070