WOULD YOU RATHER BE RICH THAN POOR?

God would have us be satisfied with everything He gives us. He fulfills our needs. When we place Him first in our lives, we find peace and satisfaction and lose our desire to want more than we need.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES        By Sally Bair

Poverty or riches

Animals are funny creatures. A cat will guard its dishful of food whether it is hungry or full, just because it belongs to him. A squirrel might hoard so many acorns for later eating that it will forget where some of its stashes are.

Most animal behavior is nature-driven. But an animal's personality also can determine its behavior. Just like people. We all have our reasons for acting like we do and, unfortunately, many times our reasons are selfish.

The Bible speaks often against selfishness, against wanting more and more. But it also has much to say about poverty. Proverbs 30:8-9 address both situations. "Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Poverty has caused many people to steal and riches have caused many to turn their backs on God, who supplies all our needs. Compared to those who live in impoverished third-world countries, Americans are rich in worldly goods. Yet many of us are poor in spirit because we put our trust in our belongings rather than in God. "I don't need God," many people believe. "I can help myself. After all, look at all I have." Not only may our possessions become too important, so may our education, our position in society, our job and even our health take high priority in our lives.            

True freedom, however, comes to those of us who trust in God’s provision and are willing to sacrifice and share what we have, whether it’s a little or a lot. And we don't have to worry about theft, maintaining our stuff, or what will happen to it when we're gone.

Most of us Americans are not used to living a simple life, having enough but not too much. But when we love the Lord Jesus Christ enough to put Him first in our lives—above all else—we will have contentment and peace. Jesus says it best. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

Lord, thank You for supplying us with all our needs. May we never be like the selfish cat or the hoarding squirrel. Rather, cause us to be joyful and satisfied with whatever You give. And give us a generous heart so we’ll want to share what we have with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.