“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NASB).
When Larry and I got married, we were thrilled that my parents allowed us to have their nine-year-old Chevy and my bedroom suite. Mother also let me have her stacks of Top Value stamp booklets so we could get a coordinated set of bedspread and curtains for our tiny rental house’s single bedroom. The previous renters left a sectional sofa we were able to use, and a card table and pair of folding chairs made up our kitchen set. We felt abundantly blessed.
Larry was the oldest of five kids, four of which were still at home – there was no chance of hands-out from his parents. But could mine have afforded to do more for us? Definitely. Yet I’m so thankful they didn’t. They allowed us to start out pretty much “on our own.”
I share all this to say that Larry and I had to work together to acquire things – like our first home, our first “bought” furniture, etc. We were so proud of and took such good care of that first living room furniture that it became “the furniture that wouldn’t die.” Years and years later, it was sold in pristine condition.
Nowadays we have the tendency to think that we not only NEED it all, but that we DESERVE it all. Advertisers tell us so, and we swallow their babble hook, line and sinker. We’ve gotten so focused on acquiring STUFF that we rarely focus on Jesus, the One who “satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9, NIV).
Just think for a minute about focus. The only way to look in two directions at the same time is to cross your eyes. It’s completely unnatural, so when you do, your eyes aren’t working together and neither image you’re seeing is remotely clear.
When you as a believer put your focus on Jesus and truly get a clear image of who He is and what He’s done for you, you’re not going to be obsessed with the things of this world. Sure, you’ll still appreciate nice things, but you won’t be driven by the desire to have them – you’ll be driven by the desire to serve “the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5, NIV).
Wherever you are is your mission field. Your workplace is your mission field, not just the spot where you earn your paycheck. Don’t work simply at accumulating worldly goods; work at sharing Jesus.
“He is rich enough that wants nothing.” (Polish proverb)
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