To hear this Morning Devotion, please click Helping others is why we’re here
.
.
You probably know somebody whose purpose for living appears to be defined by the phrase, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
This certainly is the case in many media depictions and with who is esteemed in numerous social/professional circles.
Ask 100 people in a college business class how they would define a successful life, and you can be sure that most would use financial or professional status measures.
The same would be true at many country club gatherings or similarly exclusive affinity groups of one sort or another.
“Stuff” and status are intricately linked in the world’s eyes and those who choose not to play that game are typically pointed to the cheap seats, so to speak.
I like the cheap seats, thank you very much.
The price of admission to the fancy seats — or even the executive box above everybody else — is way too high in my view.
Both in financial cost and in spiritual cost.
Please don’t misunderstand me here. If someone is faithful to the Lord with his or her finances and attitude, that is marvelous and the blessing of first-class seats — wherever they are — is a very good thing.
In fact, Jesus was blessed on several occasions by the humble hospitality of wealthy people.
Usually, though, people with a lot of stuff prefer to be around other people with a lot of stuff.
What typically happens in such settings, unfortunately, is that people start thinking like two fishermen comparing their stringers.
The one with more fish typically feels better about himself than does the other.
Ah, the curse of peer-based self-esteem.
I thought of the above perspectives this morning when I read Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 4:6.
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”
There is so much that I could say here, but instead I simply want to ask one question: If your focus in life is grabbing as much as you can hold in your hands, then how can you reach out to lift up somebody who has fallen or hold up somebody about to fall under the weight of heavy burdens?
The Apostle Paul said that if we don’t show love toward others, then we are nothing more than irritating, clanging cymbals.
He also said that the purpose for God’s saving of our souls was so that we would serve God.
Dear friend, when God sends a moderate amount of blessing your way so that you have food or clothing or housing that you can “hold” with one hand, please make sure that you keep one hand free so that you might use it to help others.
Remember, it’s not about me and it’s not about you.
There’s one other reason to keep one hand free of stuff-itis.
It shows our desire to take God’s hand so that He’ll guide us on the right path.
If we’re grabbing for as much stuff as we can get, then how can we reach for the Lord’s hand to lead us?
As always, I love you
Martin
