So what is enough? ( 24/6/2023)Getting out of the trap of greedSo what is enough? ( 24/6/2023)
Getting out of the trap of greed
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?"
The wise man Solomon, who himself was richer than anyone in his time, made the statement in the scripture above. When people are driven by the love of money and wealth per se, there will never be enough. The more you have, the more you want for yourself. This is a paradox of life. It becomes a continuous trap of seeking for money and wealth just to have it. Is seeking for these things evil? Not at all.
Wealth and money should be guided by purpose. What do you want to achieve in your life or community through these things? If they help you meet basic needs of a comfortable life, make other people’s lives better, and make the world a better place to be as God intended, you experience true satisfaction as you generously share what you acquire. Greed only leads to accumulation of things.
So what’s enough, and how can one get out of the trap of greed? By first appreciating what you have, however little, as you seek for more in godly ways. Don’t kill yourself over what can’t afford now, nor compare yourself with others. We can never be the same, nor have everything we want in life. A grateful heart appreciates any addition. Godliness enables you to see the intangible blessings and to be moved to support others.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
Galatians 5:16-18 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
The teaching in this chapter is about the works of the Spirit and the flesh. The two are opposing each other in a continuous battle going on within everyone. Those in Christ are, and should be led by the Holy Spirit. Those not in Christ are fully controlled by their bodily desires and lusts.
The life that pleases and glorifies God is one that is led by, and is in step with the Spirit. That is a life that has overcome the desires of the sinful nature. To keep in step with the Spirit is a continuous process throughout out our lives. This means learning to listen and obeying Him, seeking to know what the Spirit desires, and choosing to reject what He rejects.
To this life of sonship we are called in Christ. In Christ, we are Sons of God. And Paul declares that it is those who are led by the Spirit of God who are truly sons of God. So sonship is defined by living in continuous flow with the Spirit. Therein lies the glorious life the Father has for His own that those outside have mo idea about!
Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Romans 1:18-32 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them…"
Which kind of people does God give up on? Those who knowingly choose to ignore Him, worship idols, as they think of themselves being wiser than their Creator in whatever they do. They celebrate utter foolishness as they sneer at God. They suppress the truth by their wickedness (v.18), know the truth about God and His righteous decrees (19), but refuse to thank or glorify Him (21), as they exchange God’s glory with idolatry(22). Against these intentional sins, the wrath of God is directed.
As a result, God gives them over to sexual perversion like LGBTQI. They believe and live a lie, with depraved minds doing the unthinkable, inventing all forms of evil imaginable. They justify perversion and those who do them. Such can only expect a fearful judgment of God. We live in such a world today were unprecedented levels of wickedness is the norm. And it is not only being celebrated, but some powerful people are forcing others to follow suit.
But God in His unprecedented patience has given men time and chance to repent, turn from their evil, forsake sin and be saved. Many have taken this to be a weakness on God’s part. But make no mistake! His love and patience will run out and He will arise against evil. Flee the wrath to come while there’s still time!
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - KJV
Jesus was teaching about the worries of life; what to eat, drink, cloths to put on, and all the needs and wants of life that drive people crazy. He said there are things everyone needs for a normal life. And God is fully aware about that, and has made provision for them. He theregore asks us not to worry and change our priorities in life to focus on things. Unfortunately, this is exactly what people do.
We were all created for fellowship with God. The things we seek are meant to enable us serve and worship God. The fall of man shifted his attention from the worship of God and His service (which brings true satisfaction), to things which never fulfil. Things are a means to an end, not the end themselves.
When the order of priorities changes, and we seek first these things other than God, we shall never find true satisfaction as it should. This is why people make and accumulate wealth, seek fame, and get the desires of their hearts, but are never satisfied or contented.
In every human soul is a gap that nothing in the world can fill, except God. When you are in right standing and peace with God, whatever of these things you have, little or much, will truly satisfy. Short of that, you may gain the fame, wealth and attention of the whole world, and still feel empty, miserable and lost. Only a living relationship with God makes us complete. All other things are additional.
Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."
Genesis 2:7 "Then the Lord God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live." - GNB
Man was made from soil from the ground. God breathed into his lifeless body and he began to live, as a living soul. That breath was God’s Spirit. What actually makes us alive is the spirit. When the spirit part of man is taken away, what remains is a lifeless body. Without the Spirit, we are dead. Sin brought spiritual death when it separated man from God.
The essential part of our lives is the spirit. That is inherent in every human being. The fall of man from glory shifted focus from the spirit world to the flesh and physical things. Being in step with the Spirit means increasing our sensitivity in the spirit more than the physical environment around us. The spiritual world controls the physical.
The coming of the Holy Spirit was to take us back to where we belonged and operated from the begining. The secularist world view that emphasises materialism is an attempt by the enemy to cut man off from what he truly is to being carnally minded. That brings death, but to be spiritually minded is life. We can best reconnect back to our spirituality by the Holy Spirit. Anything else takes men to the demonic world.
John 6:63 "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life."
Romans 8:6 "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."
Matthew 21:19-20 "Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked."
The disciples had seen other kinds of miracles Jesus performed, but not this one. Jesus spoke to a tree, that it would bear no more fruit again. And it immediately withered. Amazed, they asked how this could happen quickly. Jesus told them that they could do the same and even more, all by faith.
Jesus’ word dried the tree. It gave life to the dead, restored to normalcy the diseased, calmed the storm and many other miracles. His words carry life because He is the way the truth and the life. He is the Creator of all things that exist. This means all things came to existence and have life because of Him. Whatever word proceeds from His mouth carries life. On the tree, He withdrew life, and the tree died. If He spoke to the dead tree, it would live again.
He has spoken, and still speaks to us and the situations we go through. Sone are dead now. And when He speaks, no other word or situation can resist. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. His word is final. He is the life. Two things are important to see His word work in our lives and situations: get to know what He has spoken. Have faith. And the rest will work. Glory to God!
John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…"
Isaiah 55:11 "…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Luke 23:44-45 "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two." - NIV
When Jesus died, these remarkable occurances happened; the sun stopped shining for 3hours and the curtain separating the holy place and holy of holies in the temple tore into two. The holy of holies housed the ark of the covenant (representing God’s presence) and only the high priest was allowed to visit there once every year. This meant access to God was limited under the old covenant. When Jesus died, that access was opened to all. The seperating curtain was torn. Now anyone can access God by the blood and the name of Jesus. We are His and accepted into His presence. Hallelujah!
Jesus’ blood reconciled man with God. Sin was the barrier, and created enemity between man and God, but Jesus’ blood and death took care of the sins of man. Now, even the vilest offender who truly believes, is cleansed and justified before a holy God. Reconciliation means renewed fellowship, no condemnation, and being at peace with God as He originally intended at creation. We can now boldly come before God by our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, not fearing that He will reject or condemn us.
Dear friends, in Christ we are at peace with God. We have freedom of expression and can experience His love to the fullest. We are His beloved children and He delights in our communion with Him. Do not allow the deception of the devil make you think like a stranger to God your Father. Praise be to God.
Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
Ephesians 6:16 "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." - NIV
A shield is a key defensive weapon in battle. It deflects the arrows, rocks, sword or spear directed at the soldier. Without it, the soldier is very susceptible to every flaming shot. Just as a shield is to the soldier, so is faith to the believer in spiritual warfare.
The evil one is ever shooting arrows of hopelessness, frustration, doubt, hate, revenge, etc at us. Once our faith in Jesus is in place and unshaken, all those arrows won’t affect us. They are deflected away. Satan’s aim is to cause things that will affect our faith and so be displaced from its position. These include fear and doubt which don’t exist with faith. The battle is to strengthen faith to displace fear and doubt.
Ever been in a position where the same things you had overcome and would eadily ignore, now get into your heart and make you fearful and emotional? It means likely the shield of faith is getting displaced and the enemy’s arrows are hitting at you. Solution is to build up your faith constantly by feeding on the word, prayer and other devotional practices. These keep faith in place and you remain victorious in battle.
1 John 5:4-5 "…because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
Jude 1:20 "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…"
1 Kings 11:12-13 "Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen." - NIV
Solomon had fallen into disobedience to God and broken the covenant God made with his father David. God was displeased and threatened to tear the kingdom into two in punishment. But He said it would not happen in his time. The magnitude of Solomon’s sin, which followed with the other kings, warranted complete cut off of the kingdom from him and David’s line. But two factors made God to relent from doing so.
God had made a covenant and vowed to David that his house would not miss a king – upto Christ. God cannot break His sworn covenant. Likewise, the life of David so impressed and moved God that for his sake, God wouldn’t release His full wrath on Israel. David was a man after God’s heart. He became a reference point of comparison for all other kings who came after him. In the two verses above, and other portions of scripture, God talked about him.
Such are the men and women who live lives that move God so much so that for their sake and intercessory intervention, God will relent from doing, or actually do certain things. They are His true servants after God’s heart, who shape destinies of individuals and nations of people. They move heaven and shake hell. They carry the authority of God and are the reason certain things happen. Anyone of us can develop our relationship with God to such levels. I pray you become one such person!
Exodus 33:17 "And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Psalm 27:13 "[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."- KJV
Life’s journey is not straight. One time you are at the mountain top and everything is alright. Another time you are at the valley and things seem to be falling apart. One time there are friends all around. And in another no one seems to care. You seem to be all alone. This fluctuations go beyond the individual to families, communities and nations.
God operates in seasons and times. That’s how things are. David acknowledged that if he had not believed in hope for better times ahead, he would have given up on living, given what he was going through. This happens to us many times when the storms of life beat, situations so tough and stressful come our way, and thoughts of quiting endeavours or even dying, cross one’s mind. Thank God, these situations are not the end of the story, however dire they may be. In God, blossoming life can be rebuilt out of the rubble and ashes.
It’s so encouraging that amidst all the ups and downs and uncertainities of life, God, in Whom we trust and hope, doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6). He is God in the good and bad times. He remains a good and faithful God in the mountain top and in the dark lonely valleys. Our faith and hope should rest in Him. Men in their abilities may fail. Our businesses, investments, treasures and all we may rely on can fail.
But God doesn’t. And this hope in God doesn’t disappoint. It will be well at the end. There is hope for a better tomorrow, however bad today is. Do not quit your endeavors. Hold on to faith in an unchanging, faithful God. There is light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Psalms 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
