For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries. Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Revelation 18:3-5
“He also said, ‘The desire for possessions is dangerous and terrible, knowing no satiety; it drives the soul which it controls to the heights of evil. Therefore let us drive it away vigorously from the beginning. For once it has become master it cannot be overcome.’
Isidore of Pelusia, one of the desert fathers, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, translated by Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1975) 99.
In my Tuesday morning study has been going through the book of Revelation. It is a challenging book to read, for sure, but seems fitting in the times in which we live. This past week, we read the destruction of Babylon and how many had been deceived to pursue her luxuries.
God desires that we separate ourselves from that which cannot satisfy. Jesus urged us to remember that life was not found in having an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). Sadly, most of the world thinks otherwise.
Then I saw this vivid picture with my word for the year (remember) in it in today’s Scripture. The reason God wants us to remove ourselves from such thinking and living is because he does not want us to suffer the consequences of her sins and crimes. The plagues and punishment that follow.
The desert fathers sent us a strong message by their separation from society which can shape our generosity. We must drive away the desire for things lest we be overcome by it and know no satiety. Are there any possessions that you have which have a hold on you?