The world tells us that we can be knowledgeable and wise in the things of the world. But the things of the world are fleeting and ultimately end with death. The things of God, the wisdom from God about life everlasting, these are the things that are truly important. What do we lack in this world if we have God? Nothing. We may be without many things, but we have everything with Christ.
It is a matter of faith. It is so easy to get caught up in seeing what you do not have. Most of us have all the necessities of life: food, shelter, clothes, and these basics are really all that we need. We may not have extra or the “best” of material things, but we have what is required to survive. Many of us have much more than the “basics.” We are blessed to possess all that we have and must recognize that it is temporary: On loan, consumable, burnable, and subject to destruction.
Where our heart lies, there is our focus. If we are focused on the things we have, eat, drink, wear, drive, etc. then we are putting our faith in things, not God. In all honesty, it is hard in the times we live in not to worry, as the economy struggles, there is high unemployment, wars and rumors of wars, banks and businesses fail. It becomes a task to make “enough” to feel secure. Yet, we will never be secure by accumulating material possessions. Our ultimate security comes with God and His Provision. Of course we need to plan and have resources to get through storms (both literal and figurative), but we have to recognize that our strength and ability to survive is our faith and trust in God alone for all that we need.
Luke 12:19–34 (NKJV)
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Author: Lea A. Strickland, MBA CMA CFM CBM GMC
Copyright ©2012 Lea A. Strickland
All Rights Reserved
