Identifying human value systems is not difficult. Almost all television commercials appeal to what people want, whether it be bigger, better, more of money or stuff, or the eating of appealing food (not necessarily healthy), greater popularity, more power, and a deeper sense of importance.
Some of them appeal to our desire to be kind and well-liked — easy to do, just give your chocolate bar to someone else, or our desire to have fun — just serve the right drinks and everyone is happy.
At times, and as I age, I look at those appeals and reflect that most of them will not go to the grave with me. All such perks are temporary and Jesus did say not to lay up treasures on earth but be focused on eternal issues. The Word of God also adds this:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)As a Christian, my focus should be heavenward, yet I still live in this world and am bombarded with the appeals to my life here. More and more I’m thankful for the alternatives and the promise of Jesus Christ to grant me an abundant life that revolves around His value system. He gives simple directions about how to deal with the ads:
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25–33)Solomon was extremely wealthy yet God says lilies are richer. Birds don’t have bank accounts yet their needs are met. How about people? The OT stories tell how their shoes and clothes did not wear out — and He still does that. I complain that I cannot justify a shopping trip because my stuff never seems to wear out, yet this is a testimony to the care of God.
Today’s reading uses the above passage to remind me that I do not need to strive to grow more like Jesus, that He just does it. It also reminds me that I don’t need to strive to have what I need. I’ve been blessed above and beyond any expectations because the Lord is taking care of what I need by putting my focus on eternal matters more than earthly stuff, and on sharing what He has given me by showing me that no one can out-give God. If I later need it, He simply restocks whatever I lack.
Sometimes I call myself “God’s spoiled brat” and realize not everyone experiences the same blessings, and that makes me feel uncomfortable with the many blessings God gives. At the same time, life has had great hardships, not to balance out the good stuff but to make me realize the value of seeking Him rather than putting my focus on whatever I can gain from this world and the things that have no eternal value.
PRAY: What can I say, Jesus, but Thank You. You have worked in my greedy, selfish heart and by taking away what I once wanted, You have given me far more than I could ever deserve. I truly am Your spoiled brat.
