Ricky’s Page

“Watch out, and be on guard against all kinds of greed (or covetousness) because a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Later in the chapter He says 

“…..your Father delights to give you the kingdom. “

It’s embarrasing to admit, but every year I need to remind myself of this.  It is very true on many levels that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  And I feel the battle in my heart of greed versus giving each year.

Jesus encourages us to be giving and not greedy by saying “your Father delights to give you the kingdom”

This is the first year I made this connection.  And it makes alot of sense.  I realized that it is very true (though something in me resists admitting it) that every possession that I own will not matter at all when it is time to go be with the Lord. We have this future with the Lord that is amazing beyond comprehension, and makes even the most wonderful possessions be forgotten (similar to the way I felt when I held my daughter in my arms for the first time a couple weeks ago). So it is silly to get so worked up about stuff.  So Jesus mentions in that chapter “Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and make moneybags that will not grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven where thieves won’t come and steal and time and rust destroy.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”   

I was hesitant to mention the “sell your possessions” part because I don’t think we are supposed to go sell everything we have.  Or that we are not supposed to have anything beyond the bare essentials.  But I take it as a lifestyle or an attitude that Jesus puts forward that I feel like I fall far short of, and I pray he will gently help me conform to.  And that attitude is to not  pile up possessions.  Don’t spend your waking hours thinking about them and what else you want to get, rather, focus your heart on things that really matter (and your pocketbook should reflect that priority).  Like He says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”