- Losses and tragedies have a way of putting everything into perspective. They clarify our values…
- They help us figure out some priorities. You realize, more than you ever did before, what matters most.
- People and culture want us to think that it’s what we have that determines who we are and what really matters in life. But what does Jesus say:
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” ~ Luke 12:15
- Dear friend, God forbids covetousness (eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions; also a strong desire for something that belongs to another person).
- One requirement for leadership in the Kingdom is to hate covetousness (1 Tim 3:3; 1 Pet 5:2).
- God calls it idolatry and He says we should kill out completely (Colossians 3:2-6 KJV)
- Dear friend, please don’t confuse your net worth with your self-worth. They are totally unrelated.
- Please don’t confuse your possessions with your position in Christ and your purpose.
- Please don’t confuse what you’re living on with what you’re living for.
And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit. (Matthew 13:22)
You see the Bible makes us understand that the excessive desire for wealth and possessions is what leads to greed, murder, rebellion, oppression, violence, denying God (Pro 30:8-9), injustice, backsliding, deceptions (Mt 13:22), diverse temptations and lusts (1 Tim 6:9-11).
You can wait until you experience loss to decide what you’re living for. Or we can determine – now – to clarify our values and remember what’s important: our relationship with God and people. People matter, not things.
Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’
So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 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.”
- Dear friend, please don’t lose your joy over unimportant things.
- Have you ever seen a hearse (funeral car) pulling a moving truck of belongings?
- The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:7, “We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out.”
- For real security, we have to build our lives on something that can’t be taken from us.
- Can a job be taken from you? Yes! There is no such thing as job security. Can you lose your health? Yes!
- Can you lose the person you’re married to? Yes! Can you lose your youthful beauty, shape, curves, muscles, etc? Yes!
We must build our lives on the one thing that cannot be taken away from us: our relationship with God through Jesus Christ!
“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock…”
When we have Jesus as our firm foundation, we’ll still have hope, peace, and joy even in our most difficult struggles. You’ll be able to make it through even in a season of loss, suffering and persecution.
“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.” ~ Luke 12:31-34
Remember, to bear fruits worthy of our repentance also involves some things we must do. And Jesus gives us some things we must do, or a new life to adopt in our walk with Him:
- Seek (first) the Kingdom of God! Spend your first energies and resources in seeking God and His righteousness.
- “Sell what you have:” Here, Jesus is referring to treasures that God forbids hoarding and not ordinary and basic necessities of life.
- God expects us to be responsible and provide for our families and for others who cannot give back.
Why do you need to buy a second and third expensive phone, car, home, etc., from your big bonus? Please let's not forget the rich fool. Do not inherit his selfish thinking; do not hoard! Everything was just about him (notice the number of times he used the pronoun "I or my"). Think about others.
- Give alms: Be a giver. Be someone who gives to the poor and those who cannot pay you back.
- Invest in things that build God’s kingdom, and God’s people, and bless others with your wealth!
- Believe that as you do this, you have a platinum bank account in heaven and you will never lack!
Don’t be afraid, little flock for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom! God no go shame us! Believe in these words of Jesus and let’s do them (practically)! Heyy… you’re blessed!
