Day 7

“Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Luke 12:33-34

That which is spiritual in its cause is always social in its effect. On every level, wanting what isn’t ours is one of the most critical dangers we can inflict upon ourselves.

Throughout history, coveting has been the cause behind hundreds of wars. It’s why countless marriages have ended and why prisons are full of those incarcerated for theft, assault and murder. Gambling is one of the fastest growing addictions in North America. Convenience stores, gas stations and supermarkets sell thousands of lottery tickets everyday to many who probably can’t afford them. ‘Get rich quick’ schemes are draining people of their money, and billions of dollars are spent every year on bettering one’s appearances - all because we are not content with what we are and what we have!

We live in a society which encourages the idea that ‘the more we have, the better off we’ll be’, but that isn’t always true. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and have pierced themselves with many griefs.” That is a solemn warning to us of how a material desire becomes a spiritual disease. Material well being, obtained by greed, may equal spiritual destruction, according to Paul!

Material things have a very short life span – our own span, which is ‘like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes’ (James 4:14). Jesus said, “Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Luke 12:29-30).

We all need to be reminded of whom we serve and why. Wealth, recognition, fame, power and prestige are temporary. Paul wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Our treasures lie in Christ and do not fade, vanish or are taken from us. As we live in Him, they are eternal, and store up for us an inheritance in heaven.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Many of us really don’t know what it’s like to be without food, clothing or shelter. you faithfully provide every day, and I thank you, Lord, for not only teaching me, but showing me that you’re all I need. thank you, Lord.

To reflect upon: What are some things I might have coveted before? How have they paled in comparison to coming to know Jesus?