By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times
Christians journey on Earth as “strangers and pilgrims.” (I Peter 2:11). Like Abraham, we “look for a city,… whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10). But what must we carry on our journey towards that city where “the Lamb is the light?” (Revelation 21:23). The answer: We must carry a wariness against selfishness and greed; Jesus warns us to “beware of covetousness.” (Luke 12:12). Loving earthly possessions cripples us. (Matthew 13:22) (“(C)are(s) of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word and (you) become unfruitful.”).
How do we shun selfishness and greed to lighten our load? Jesus tells us to “give alms… provide yourselves… a treasure in Heaven,” because, “where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” (Luke 12:33-34). Doing so causes us to “set (our) affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2). Put differently, if we forsake focus on earthly possessions, we stayed focused on our destination, and we “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:28).
We “cannot serve God and money,” (Matthew 6:24), yet many deceive themselves and try to serve both. We cannot forget the rich fool, who so loved his possessions that he lost his soul. (Luke 12:18-20). Nor can we serve God while looking back at the world. (Luke 9:62). We must “remember Lot’s wife,” (Luke 17:32), and that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (I Timothy 6:6).
If we are to serve God acceptably – as we must – Jesus requires we “take no thought for (our) life.” (Matthew 6:25). Paul explained what that means, saying that he “kept back nothing,” (Acts 20:20), and counted not his own “life dear.” (Acts 20:24). To that end, Paul paid his own way, and his fellow travelers’ way. (Acts 20:34). Paul did so to teach folks, by example, “to support the weak and to remember… The Lord Jesus,” Who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).
In the end, how heavy our load while we travel rests on our heart’s attitude: Do possessions own us, or do we hold them humbly in service to Him, recognizing The Lord gave us all we hold? (James 1:17). Remember, The Lord owns the whole earth and all therein, including all the gold and silver. All belongs to Him, (Psalms 24:1); (Haggai 2:8) since He “created all things.” (Colossians 1:16).
So, how do we travel lightly with Jesus as we journey to meet Him? We do so by loving not the world (I John 2:15-16), but by loving Jesus and keeping His commandments, (John 14:21); showing the helpless mercy, (Micha 6:8), (James 1:27); serving others, (Mark 10:44); and by “lov(ing) not our own lives unto death.” (Revelation 12:11). If we will do so, will indeed find Jesus’s “yoke is easy, and (His) burden… light,” (Matthew 11:30), as we journey to meet Him.
