Forthright Fixation

Ever since we moved to the States I’ve had a severe dislike for reading or watching the news because it seems to me that there is always someone griping or complaining about something or someone else. All the complaining through the media only escalates during an election year. Everyone is whining that this isn’t fair, or so-and-so shouldn’t have done that. Everyone is stomping on others’ toes because they “have rights” and such-and-such a person infringed them. When all is said and done, however, all this complaining comes down to 1 thing: love of money; the root of this being sin.

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

It’s easy to fall in love with money. Money can get you things that you want. And sometimes the drive to get money to spend can be dangerous. I sometimes find my heart inclined towards tendencies that make me think I’ll be content or satisfied when I have ‘stuff’; a car of my own, more books, more shoes, etc. But seeing as though I’m about to start college, I’ve realized that this is very thin ice I’m skating on. While college is primarily an opportunity to further one’s education, I also see it as a time to be a good steward with the resources God has given me. Over the next few years, before I’m out in the world on my own completely, I have a responsibility for school bills and living expenses, and as I’m sure you know neither of these are cheap nowadays. I can’t see what the future holds but there will probably be a few occasions when I won’t be able to buy exactly what I want when I want it. I’ve determined to be content with this, and to quietly do without something that I may really, really want.

“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?” – Matthew 6:25, 26 (ESV)

I know that all of my needs will be taken care of by my Heavenly Father; it’s all my wants that I have to look out for. But, I’ve decided that instead of complaining or becoming money-hungry, I’m going to, by the grace of God, count my blessings. Instead of moping about what I don’t have, I’m going to remind myself of what I do have: my family, my home, my church family – be it local or universal. I have plenty of clothes to wear and I’ve never gone to bed hungry. I’m healthy and so is the rest of my family. The list goes on and on. I’ve innumerable blessings to count, gifts from God. What about you? Do you count your blessings?

Filed under: Christian Living, Satisfied, Uncategorized