“In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.”
― Henry Ward Beecher
Have you ever stopped what you were doing and seen all of your possessions around you? Are you amazed of what you have?
For some, we take the American Dream too far. We may look at someone who we look up to and think “why don’t I have what they have?” I work just as hard as they do! I deserve this __________ Insert one of the following items. ( Car, House, Outfit, Body, etc. ) When enough is not enough we take it in our own hands and do whatever it takes to move from contentment to covetous.
Stepping out of His Will into the unknown.
We begin to lose focus of our blessings whenever we covet; crave or desire a particular item. We begin to see all these materialistic things that we crave for. The fashion world, the car world, the body world, the whatever you covet world is just what it is. It’s a “world” that is fake but leads you in that direction of believing it would make your life easier and better. Many have found this “world” of their obsession to be financially, mentally and for some physically straining say the least. All for us to say look at me, look what I have, look at what I’m driving, look at me! All to make yourself feel better about yourself or to make your neighbor that you don’t care for jealous. We find ourself distraught at this. The World is telling you, “You will be better off by having it.” It’s an “IT.” And God is whispering the opposite.
“Your Surrounded by beatitudes”
definition of beatitudes – Supreme blessedness.
The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin beatitudo meaning “blessedness.” The phrase “blessed are” in each of the beatitudes implies a current state of happiness or well-being. The expression held powerful meaning of “divine joy and perfect happiness” to the people of the day. In other words, Jesus was saying “divinely happy and fortunate are” those who possess these inward qualities. While speaking of a current “blessedness,” each pronouncement also promises a future reward.
“Your surrounded by beatitudes” is what God spoke to me one time when i was distraught at something that I wanted to have. He began to show me the difference between our needs and wants in life and to be content with what we have, let’s realize it, what we have are the blessings that He has bestowed on us.
1 Tim 6:6-10
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Very commonly, Christianity is presented today on the basis of what you will gain by following Jesus: personal success and happiness, a stronger family, a more secure life. These things may be true to some degree, but we must never market the gospel as a product that will fix every life problem. When the gospel is marketed this way, it makes followers of Jesus who are completely unprepared for tough times. After all, if the “Jesus product” isn’t working, why not try another brand? Also, this sales approach takes the focus off Jesus Himself, and puts the focus on what He will give us. Many have their hearts set on the blessings, not the One who blesses us. – enduringword.com
God teaches all of us to be content of what we have when we continually surrender the temptation of wanting more. That’s the key, continually, not just sometimes but always when we ever strive to have something we don’t need. Now don’t get me wrong, i’m not a minister that believes whatever money you have left over should go to the church; just be smart about your financial decisions and never forget what God has given you.
Matthew 6:28
“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.”
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