Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 2:7-8, The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and He has set the world upon them.”
What are we pursuing in life? What are we trying to attain during our short time here on earth? Are we after things that seem to elude us at every turn? Have we stopped to consider that we may be chasing something that God never intended for us to have in His plan for our life, and service to Him? How often have we pursued something, obtained it, only to feel that it did not bring the long term satisfaction we thought it would? Any pursuit that falls outside of God’s will and plan for all lives will always leave us empty and wanting. That is why the unsaved are never satisfied with life and sometimes ruin their lives pursuing worldly goals. Sadly, there are many Christians who waste their lives pursuing what the world has to offer, and miss out on real blessings that have no value in the minds of those who are in the world. It always amazes me how easy it is to begin to forsake the local church and our service. It begins with that seed of covetousness that grows when we put our focus on what everyone else has, and we take our eyes off the Lord and the blessings we already possess in Him. In Luke 12:15 Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” How often have we pursued riches to our own hurt, working extra hours, not because we needed to, but because we wanted to gain more of the world’s riches? It begins slow, and before we know it, we are working on Sundays and during other times of corporate worship, “because we have to”. We begin spending money that we really do not have and could be giving to help the local church, a missionary family, meeting a family need, or investing in the future (should the Lord tarry), on things like the lottery and scratch tickets because there is a “slim to none” chance we could become rich overnight. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 clearly says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” King Solomon, with all his wisdom began the Book of Ecclesiastes with this statement in verse 2, “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’” King Solomon was a man who indulged in many things because of his wealth, and in the end called it all vanity. What was his ultimate conclusion? In Ecclesiastes 12:13 he said, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” The bottom line is that God is able, if He so desires, to give us earthly riches beyond what any of us can imagine. However, that is not what He chooses for all of us. He can raise us up and elevate our status in society as He did with Joseph and Daniel, but He does not choose that for all of us. He can lift us up to be great servants in the eyes of the world and amongst the brethren, as He did with Billy Graham, but He may choose a different path for us. If we seek after riches and recognition that God does not have planned for us, we will be working against Him, and that is one battle we will never win. In the end we will destroy ourselves and those we love. We must truly acknowledge that we know and believe that what Hannah said in her praise, by living a life of contentment. Like the Apostle Paul, we must learn to be content in whatever state we are in (Philippians 4:11). My desire is that we remember today, and always, that the Lord has already been better to us than we deserve by giving us the One thing that is more valuable than all the earthly treasures that are available today…His Son. In Christ, we have eternal life and heavenly riches beyond what we can ever imagine. If we are poor in the things of this world, but have Jesus, we are richer than the wealthiest person on earth. Be content with such things as we have and we will not waste our life chasing things we will never get a hold of, and the world will never be able to take our joy (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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