MEDITATIONS AND MEMORIES

In Luke 12:15: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness, for a man's life consisted not not in abundance of the things which  he possesseth."

I have been thinking again!  Just rambling thoughts about life.  Nothing looks good as far as our nation is concerned.  Seems Christianity is being attacked.  But, hasn't it been attacked through the ages?  Wasn't God always there to see His children through the tough times?  He is still with us today to see us through whatever may come our way!

My husband and I were talking just yesterday.  As a nation all is seemingly being destroyed.  We hear of wars and rumors of things that might come on  our nation.  Earthquakes  and floods. So  many people losing all they have gained materially.  Many losing their lives.  But isn't that exactly what the Bible said would be in the last days?  We are on shaky ground.  But one thing is for sure. Our lives as Christians are build on the Lord, Jesus Christ.

We look around at the material gain.  The more you have the more you want.  We have always tried to live 
within our means. But material gain is not our priority.  In Psalm 62:10, "If riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
Matthew 6:19-21
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust  corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves  do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

The Lord gave us the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12.   He was so prosperous that he did not have a place for all his crops.  You remember the story!  He was full of self.  He even talked to himself.  He said: "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. "
You know also what the Lord said! "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee:  then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided."

He was no fool concerning material things, but he was a fool because he never took God, nor his own soul,
nor eternity into consideration. 
Just think about what he could have done with his riches if he had used them for the Lord!  Maybe feed some hungry soul or make provisions for the furtherance of the gospel.  Many blessings he missed because he was so self centered.  I'm reminded of the poor little lady that gave her all. Two little pennies! But the Lord said she hath given the most.   The rich men looked around and  thought, what's wrong with Him?  We have brought a grand offering and here she gets the praise that brought just two little coins. But I can hear Jesus say, "You just brought me the lagniappe, left overs.  This little lady has given me her all."

Maybe that's why the Scripture says it is hard for a rich man to  enter into heaven.  Somehow money has a hold on people.  Well, we are far from being rich.  But what we have belongs to the Lord.
Annie Johnson Flint wrote this poem which is so fitting.

THE UN BOUGHT GOD

What would our land be worth to us,

the land we sell and buy,

And fence about and call our own,

without god's open sky

To hold the sunset's rose and gold,

the white clouds floating by?

What would our fields  bring forth for us,

Without the gifts He sends,

Without the sunshine and the rain

On which our bread depends,

s little water brooks to flow,

His birds to be our friends?

  

Oh, as the land without the sky

That ever bends above,

So barren and so desolate,

Our lives without His love;

The blessings that no gold can buy

Our greatest riches prove.