“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” Proverbs 15:16-17
Recently my Daily Bible reading included the story of Ahab and his desire to obtain the vineyard of Naboth. This king had everything that he could desire. Yet he went to his bed in despondency because Naboth refused his offer. Naboth cherished his vineyard, it was his inheritance and he refused to give it up. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, told Ahab not to worry. She would get it for him. She schemed and planned and had Naboth killed, to satisfy her husband’s discontent.
In our world today, we are bombarded with advertisements for material possessions. Furniture stores offer us the chance to get the furniture we want today and delay the payments for a year or more. Even Airlines advertise, “Buy now, and pay later.” Credit card debt has skyrocketed, because people are not willing to save until they can afford the things they want. Social media sends ads that make people feel they can’t live without the newest gadgets and toys.
Over the past few months, the cost of groceries and other household items has risen dramatically. We have all had to cut back on our spending to compensate for this. It is time to be thankful for what we do have and be content. The greatest possession that we have is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we trust in Him, He will guide us and direct us in every area of our lives. He has promised to meet our every need. Material possessions will pass away, but our experience with the Lord Jesus lasts for eternity.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus told his disciples: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
I like the way Proverbs 15:16-17 reads in The Message
“A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate.”
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your promise to supply all our needs as we trust in you. Help us to be content with the blessings you have bestowed upon us.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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