“In Ecclesiastes 5:10, Solomon writes, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” The man who had it all said that money is “vanity.” Why? Money never satisfies. No matter how much you have, you’ll still want more.
That’s why the abundant life isn’t found in things. It’s found in a relationship with God through Christ. The abundant life has more to do with the fullness that comes from a relationship with God than with anything material. The life Christ gives is so much more than anything the world offers. It’s a relationship with a loving God, who cares for us and takes care of us.”
Joel Bruce in Our Generous God: Discover God’s Generosity to You in Christ (Bloomington: WestBow, 2011) 20-21.
Peter Fiorello and I had a great time at the World Series game last night. One of the MLB slogans we often hear is “I live for this” referring to Major League Baseball. Sadly, many Mets fans went home dejected because “they live for baseball” and the only thing that mattered was “lifting the trophy.” All hopes were dashed with their defeat. Walking out of the park I heard two men say they wanted to go to the tavern to drink it off. They wanted to try to drown their sorrows with more drinking.
Alternatively, something worth living for is a “relationship with a loving God, who cares for us and takes care of us.” Peter added this comment on our drive to the hotel last night through wealthy NYC bedroom communities in Southern CT: “To put it bluntly, most people aren’t generous because they think they have to look out for themselves because no one else will.” Friends, the only way we can live generously is if we live like we we really believe that God cares for us and takes care of us!
Would others say you live like you believe that?