Some years ago as part of some training I did an exercise around imagining what you would do if you knew that your life had a limited time to run. As the 'time' was gradually reduced from a year to a few days it became clear to me that people and relationships were far more important than doing and having things.
"Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15 [NIV]
And then Jesus tells the parable of the Rich Fool, a man who has a lot, builds bigger storage to keep it all in, and then dies unexpectedly; all his stuff is of no use to him.
There are regular stories in the media of celebrity figures who have so much stuff but in reality have nothing of real value.
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God." Luke 12:21 [NIV]
I am sure that it is true that our relationships and interactions with others are far more important than the stuff we have. Our impact in growing the Kingdom of God is entirely through what we do and say, how we live our lives, rather then through the stuff that we have.
The question for us is whether or not we have the right balance. Do we hold our possessions lightly? Do we use what we have for God? Where do our priorities lie? I wonder how much of what we have we would readily give up if that is what we were called to do; and what we would feel that we couldn't possibly do without.
Do we strive to store up treasure on earth or treasure in heaven?
Lord, help us strive to do your will. Show us how we should use what we have in your service rather than accumulating for our own personal comfort.
Amen
Mike Iredale
Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 42:6b-11, Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22, Luke 12:1-34
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