Proverbs 23:4-5
Give up trying so hard to get rich. Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About five years ago, we built a house overlooking the Little Red River. We enjoy watching an abundance of wildlife that inhabits the bluffs behind our house, and we are sometimes graced with the sighting of bald eagles. A couple of weeks ago, my husband started out for a walk and spotted two eagles flying up the river toward Greers Ferry Dam. He rushed back home to grab a video camera and returned to the point where he had spotted them. Both had landed in a tree, where they were in the process of eating a fish. One left, but the other continued eating… until the horn at the power house blew, signaling the start of the generators and warning fishermen below of quickly rising waters. The eagle abandoned his fish and flew away.
Generally our eagle sightings are quite brief. Sometimes these majestic birds will roost in a tree below our house for a while. But most often, they are flying by one minute… and totally out of sight the next. The analogy in this passage for how quickly money can disappear is a good one!
Please do not misunderstand me. Money is not bad. There is nothing wrong with working hard and aspiring to be successful. Almost all of us desire to have nice things… to live in a comfortable home, drive a good car, and have plenty of food and clothing. We all like to have a new pair of jeans once in a while… or go out for a delicious steak. Nobody wants to worry about how to pay bills, much less where he/she will find the next meal.
But when we define our lives by our level of wealth, we totally miss the mark. God doesn’t care about the balance in our checkbook. He measures the fullness of our heart. The richest person in the world can sit on his duff, hoard his wealth and never serve God or honor Him. The homeless man on the street who shares his cardboard box and a half a sandwich with someone else – or even a stray dog or cat – has served God better. I have observed people on both sides of this equation, and I can tell you with full confidence that those who serve out of their lack are the richest.
Many people are so focused on reaching the next rung in the ladder… making the big deal… or acquiring more “stuff” that they fail to truly experience the life that God desires for them. All of their “acquisitions” and aspirations can be gone in a day… but the real substance of a life in Christ lasts forever. Most likely you fall somewhere in the middle... not filthy rich (materially or monetarily)- but not homeless and on the street, either. But all of us can be incredibly rich in what matters most… the blessings and glory of God…and our efforts to serve Him according to His desires.
The majestic eagles that soar along the river are not concerned with abundance… yet God meets their every need. They may have to abandon a fish mid-meal, but God will provide another. Shouldn’t we take a page from the eagle’s book? Shouldn’t we work diligently to be all that God desires… in our job, our studies, our church ministries...as neighbors, family members and friends… and trust God to bless our efforts? If God cares so deeply for a mere bird, won’t He surely meet our needs, as well?
Where do you need to shift your focus? Where could you pay more attention to serving with the least of what you have than to obtaining more? If you lost all of your money and material possessions tomorrow, would you still be able to serve God? Would you have the knowledge and wisdom… the faith and confidence in His promises… to move forward? Isn’t it time you started filling your heart with the things that matter… and trusting God to handle the rest? Isn't today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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