PROPOSALS AND DISPOSALS

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”  (Luke 12:15 NKJV)

Men are often more eager to get God's help in material things rather than spiritual things. The man in the crowd, who appealed to Christ, was more anxious that He should intervene on his behalf in a family dispute rather than to give him the life of the ages. But our Lord refused to be judge and arbitrator. His ministry went deeper to the springs of action, and He knew that in each brother there was the root of covetousness, which led the one to wrong the other. He struck at the sin which lay at the root of all such disputes about property.

Our Lord insisted that life does not consist in the abundance of things of which we may happen to possess. We say: "So and so is worth a million dollars!" Heaven estimates a man's worth by the courage, faith, purity, self-control, and love to God and man, which have grown up in the soul by the careful discipline of the years! Acceptance and rank in the kingdom of God depends on character, not on possessions.

How often man proposes and God disposes! We say, "We shall yet live for many years, and enjoy the fruit of our labors"; but God says: "'Tonight!'" Listen to the Apostle James, speaking to those who said, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this city or that, and spend a year there, and carry on a successful business! All the while you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. For your life is but a mist, which appears on the hillside, but vanishes at the touch of dawn. Surely, we ought to say: If it is the Lord's will, we shall live, and do this or that" (James 4:13-17).

Many talk of seeing life who see only its most sordid and ugly side. If a man really wishes to see life, and know happy days, the secret is given in 1 Peter 3:10-19. This is the message of the Gospel, "That God has given us the life of the ages, and that this life is in Christ Jesus. He who has the Son has the Life" (John 3:36; 1 John 5:12).

PRAYER

Lord, I know not what is before me, but You know. Choose You my portion for me. Lead me by Your hand; and keep me close to You, day by day, and night by night. I ask it in Jesus' name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #240:
I will anoint you with oil so your cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5 (WEB)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.