WHAT DO WE WISH TO GAIN?

Ken Haubert - Leadership Team

Read Ecclesiastes 1, 2:1-9, 12:13-14; Matthew 6:19-21; Mark 8:36

Our worldly bodies need food, shelter, and security from predators to simply survive.  From there we seek comfort, friendship, a sense belonging and worth.  From there we can seek to realize more and more of the things we desire, the things we wish to accomplish.  We may even be driven to accomplish things never accomplished before, things “beyond our wildest dreams”.

We need to provide for ourselves and our families, and those who God leads us to care for. This providing usually involves first making a living to gain the basic necessities, then comforts, then increasing levels of amusements and luxuries through our “disposable income”.

When is the gaining enough, where does it end?  Is there true fulfillment to be found in worldly gain, in worldly wisdom?  We can look to so many famous entertainers, athletes, business titans, and other celebrities - those who seem to have it all, those who devote themselves to chasing the ultimate material gain, falling away from God in doing so.  How many end up bitter, desperate, and broken despite their lavish lifestyles?  Can this happen to us?

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes concludes that worldly gain and worldly wisdom are fleeting, meaningless.  Fearing God and keeping His commandments is our all.

Jesus admonishes us to store up our treasures in Heaven, not earth:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where does our worldly gain end?  When is it enough?  Do we keep God as our priority always?  Does our doing and gaining honor God always?  How can we better honor our Lord in everything we strive for and do?

A Prayer for Our Treasure

Lord and Father God, You are the Great Provider.  We are lost without You.

We pray that we keep You at the front of our thoughts always, that everything we say, do, and achieve honors you.

We pray that we store our treasures in Heaven; that we know worldly treasure is nothing, meaningless next to the treasure you promise.

Help us to provide for those in need, let this be our earthly treasure.

And give us strength to follow Your Word, Lord, without stumbling, each moment of each day.

We love You, Lord.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.

In Jesus’ mighty and wonderful name, Amen.