Riches
Not my good thought, but rather Someone else's great thought :
"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;
For he well take nothing with him when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him."
Psalm 49:16-17
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
Material wealth is temporary. Look at Enron, Richard Hatch and the recent hurricanes that caused thousands to go from everything to nothing (monetary) practically overnight. What we need will be provided for, if we simply follow God and His recommendations laid out for us in the Bible. And would the Creator of All Things know what will work best for us? It seems to me that it's smart to not trust humans wisdom to get through this life. Like Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' for you?"
A woman called the church when I was acting secretary asking for us to help her replace things that had been stolen. I asked her what she needed. Some of her needs were a VCR and jewelry, not food, clothing, or even a bucket of ice. I thought maybe she hadn't heard me, "no, those things are needs, what do you need?" She was quite insistent about the jewelry to feel good about her appearance and the VCR to entertain her daughter before bedtime. I explained as nicely as possible that needs were food, water, housing, love. Nothing more. I doubt she understood me.
Americans are so much into seeing the extra "stuff" as being a need to living. "Things" tend to become replacements for a greater need within our souls for the need to be loved, desired or thought worthy.
What do we need? "God will meet [provide for] all our needs according to His riches and glory [or glorious riches]". Philippians 4:19 This includes love, satisfaction in life, health, wholeness and that sense of belonging we often miss. Oh, and of course, the electric bill.
"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;
For he well take nothing with him when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him."
Psalm 49:16-17
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
Material wealth is temporary. Look at Enron, Richard Hatch and the recent hurricanes that caused thousands to go from everything to nothing (monetary) practically overnight. What we need will be provided for, if we simply follow God and His recommendations laid out for us in the Bible. And would the Creator of All Things know what will work best for us? It seems to me that it's smart to not trust humans wisdom to get through this life. Like Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' for you?"
A woman called the church when I was acting secretary asking for us to help her replace things that had been stolen. I asked her what she needed. Some of her needs were a VCR and jewelry, not food, clothing, or even a bucket of ice. I thought maybe she hadn't heard me, "no, those things are needs, what do you need?" She was quite insistent about the jewelry to feel good about her appearance and the VCR to entertain her daughter before bedtime. I explained as nicely as possible that needs were food, water, housing, love. Nothing more. I doubt she understood me.
Americans are so much into seeing the extra "stuff" as being a need to living. "Things" tend to become replacements for a greater need within our souls for the need to be loved, desired or thought worthy.
What do we need? "God will meet [provide for] all our needs according to His riches and glory [or glorious riches]". Philippians 4:19 This includes love, satisfaction in life, health, wholeness and that sense of belonging we often miss. Oh, and of course, the electric bill.
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