Pleasures of this Life (Luke 8:14; Psalm 78:24-25)

Luke 8:14 says, "... and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of (this) life..."

 PLEASURES

The word "pleasures", is an interesting word, that is only used 5 times in the NT. (Lk. 8:14; Tit.3:3; Ja.4:1,3; 2Pet.2:13). It is where we get the English word "hedonism" from, which by dictionary definition, has to do with 'moral value being defined by pleasure'. In other words, something is valuable to the degree that we derive pleasure from it, whether it be people; things; or an experience.

This Greek word had a very positive meaning, and generally referred  to what was pleasurable; enjoyable; or pleasant.

Initially, the specific meaning of the word had to do with what was pleasant, or pleasing to the taste. Later, the word applied to not only what was pleasant to the taste, but what was pleasing to the senses. It referred to:

1.What was pleasing to the eyes, to look upon (anything beautiful: art; nature; people)

2. What was pleasing to the ears, to listen to (music; the soothing  sound of someone's voice; the sounds of nature)

3.What was pleasing to smell (the pleasant aroma of baking or cooking; pleasing fragrances; the smell of flowers)

4. What was pleasing to the touch ( a gentle caress; fine fabric; sexual pleasure )

5. What was pleasing to taste [the original meaning] (pleasing food or drink)

Basically, the word encompassed "what was pleasing, or gave pleasure to, the senses". Over time, it came to mean "sensual pleasure", still referring to the five senses, and eventually, it developed the narrower meaning of sexual satisfaction.

However,  the word never lost it's general meaning of "sensual pleasure", referring to what gave pleasure to all 5 of the senses.

TEMPORARY 

The other dominant characteristic of the word, is that it referred to what was temporary, or not long lasting, and therefore had to be sought after again and again.

In a negative connotation, it came to define those who gave themselves over to the  pursuit of satisfying the cravings of the "flesh", or the physical senses, to the detriment of all spiritual development.

In the OT, it is only used twice, with the original meaning, of what is pleasant to the taste. (Num. 11: 8; Prov. 17:1).

Often the scriptures serve as their own commentary in defining a word, as is the case with the word translated as "pleasure".

 MANNA

 Both references, in the LXX, refer to what is "satisfying" to the taste.

The reference in Numbers 11:8, specifically refers to manna. 

Referring to "manna" the scriptures say; God gave to the children of Israel. the bread of heaven, and they ate the bread or food, of angels. (Ps. 78:24-25). 

BREAD OF HEAVEN

In the NT, we know that Jesus said, that Moses didn't give them the true bread of heaven, but that He [Jesus], was the true bread from heaven, for us to eat (Jn. 6:31-35). Jesus is also called "the Word of God" (Jn.1:1). Again, the scriptures say that we are to ask our Father to give us each day our "daily bread", referring not only to physical nourishment, but to the nourishment of the divine impartation of the scriptures to us (Matt. 6:11).

What is interesting, and wide spread in Jewish tradition and commentary, is that  "manna" had the unique ability to satisfy every favorite flavor taste of the individual, so that everyone  found it "pleasurable" to the taste.

Whether tradition, or an actual miracle of God, the message is  that our Father has designed His word to have the unique ability, to  satisfy our individual tastes, and be  "pleasurable" to each of us, meeting our spiritual needs.

THE WORD 

Again, referring to Rabbinic teaching, the "sensual pleasures" are viewed as something that  must be controlled, or, as Titus 3:3 indicates, they will become our masters, controlling us. To the Rabbi, these are controlled through study of the Torah, whereas with us, it is the Word of God, including the Torah, by the Spirit of God within, that gives us the dominance.

 Rabbinic teaching has a very fitting illustration of how unchecked pleasures are like a stranger passing by, but once invited in, become a guest in our house; and once a guest, allowed to stay, eventually they take over as master of the household, and we it's servant. 

In the scriptural passage in Luke, the vivid contrast, is that the word of God is so unique and powerful, that it is  designed to give us "pleasure", satisfying  each of our individual tastes. We need to choose the word, over the temporary pleasures of the world; which only satisfy the physical senses, but do not satisfy the tastes of our spirit.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.