Today’s post is another installment of my Write 28 Days series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.”
We’re currently discussing clutter of the soul. There can be a lot of angst and soul-searching during a trial; but what about when things are going well?
It’s a sad fact, but often when life is good, we don’t pray as often. We don’t fix our eyes on our God who provides us with every good thing. We get distracted with the “rat race” and the desire to accumulate more.
There is a story in the bible about a guy who got all caught up in accumulating stuff:
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 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. 19 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.” ’ 20 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?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:16-21 New King James Version
A Life of Ease
I think the first thing this dude did wrong was, “he thought within himself.” Some translations say he reasoned with himself, or he talked to himself. If you ask yourself advice, chances are you will tell yourself what you want to hear. We are all great at justifying what we want to do.
So, Self told the rich man to find a way to store all his stuff. He could live for years off it. “Eat, drink and be merry.” In other words, lavish all this stuff on YOU.
Wrong Choice
It’s not wrong to store up things for the future, the bible gives us at least two examples:
The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
Proverbs 30:25 NKJV
She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.
Proverbs 31:21 NLT
It’s smart to prepare food and clothing for upcoming seasons. Seasons … not years.
Our rich man didn’t even give a thought to God. He thought he would oversee the rest of his life. He had enough to live comfortably for YEARS. Or, so he thought.
Treasure Gathered in the Wrong Realm
Instead of heaping up goods for the life he had, the rich man should have been preparing for his real life – the one that lasts throughout eternity.
Taking it personal: I have often felt pressure to acquire more earthly possessions in order to have something to show for my life’s work. Can you relate?
But houses and storage units full of things will not leave me a good name. In fact, my kids might be aggravated with having to do something with all that stuff.
Wouldn’t it be better to release it now so others could use and enjoy those things?
Even more important is the idea of laying up treasure in heaven. How can we do that? Well, scripture teaches if we give to others, we will receive as well. Sometimes we receive on earth, but we always receive spiritual rewards as well.
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
Luke 12:33 New Living Translation
By all means, let’s enjoy the life God gave us, remembering all the while this is just the prelude to a heavenly adventure surpassing anything the world has to offer.
I want my focus to be entirely on Him. How about you?
I’m joining a host of writers participating in a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. My life being what it is, I’m starting 3 days behind, but writing 28 days does not have to be defined by the month of February. I’m simply promising to write for 28 days. If life interrupts, as it often does, I may have to skip a day here and there. The goal is to write 28 times on my subject, “A Rich and Satisfying Life,” consecutively … or not!
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
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I’m sharing this at Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Tell His Story
That life of ease can surely lure us away into thinking we don’t need God. But we always need God. I want to stay focused on God and love. Thanks for this reminder, Jerralea.
“If you ask yourself advice, chances are you will tell yourself what you want to hear. We are all great at justifying what we want to do.” Such a truth here. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with Grace & Truth Link-Up
Jerralea, thank you for I too want to keep my focus on God – in seasons of ease and the hard ones. Blessings to you.
God has to warn us again and again about this sinful human tendency, doesn’t He! Thanks for reminding us just how easy it is to get complacent when things are going well.
Oh, such truth and so hard to swallow at times. I am grateful to have you as a neighbor on a link up this day. Shall be pondering this for a bit.
Wise advice, Jerralea! God wants us to GIVE out of our abundance, not hoard.
Jerralea, you distinctly showed the foolish thinking versus the wise thinking and give us food for thought regarding dealing with our stuff or helping our neighbor.
Great points! You gave me much to think about.
Jerri, your words have caused me to do some deep thinking/pondering.