“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 NKJV
Imagine that you had everything you ever wanted in life. The fame, the influence and the wealth to buy anything you wish. What next? This question is like a mirror held up to our faces, as it forces us to assess our life and what we live, work and will die for.
If all we live for is ourselves and what we can gain from life, it simply isn’t enough because, in the end, we will realise that all is vanity. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, had everything he could ever want. But he realised that the possessions and accomplishments were empty and meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2: 10-12).
King Solomon realized that there is more to life than the constant cycle of living from one achievement or possession to the next. At the end of his experiment, he said, “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments because this is the whole duty of man.”(Ecclesiastes 12:13 NKJV)
He realized that the only thing that matters is a relationship with God. And as believers, this is a conviction and realisation we must come to.
According to the anchor scripture, your life does not consist of the abundance of things you possess (Luke 12: 15). Earthly possessions do not bring satisfaction, and no matter how much you have, there is always more to want. Therefore, it is important to place your self-worth on God’s calling for your life, rather than on what you possess or how much is in your bank account. Remember that you cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6: 24).
The things of the earth will pass away and so will any form of satisfaction you derive from them. Jesus admonishes us in Matthew 6: 19-21 to “…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Where our treasure is, there our hearts will be.
Let us decide to live for God rather than ‘stuff.’ This decision will reflect how we live our lives. Our lives will be marked by a sense of self-worth that does not come from possessions and accomplishments but from the satisfaction of doing God’s will.
Also, our lives will be marked with a deep sense of contentment and gratitude that is not circumstantial. We will live our lives knowing that all we have comes from God. We will find happiness and fulfilment in sharing what we have; rather than constantly striving to acquire more.
Dear believer, nothing else can truly satisfy you because your satisfaction comes from living for God. You are to live a deeper life of purpose. You do not live for yourself but for Christ, who died for you. Make that your choice today.
Bible Reading Plan: Psalms 1-2, 15