Wealth

 

     Our definition of wealth may vary from person to person.  We tend to accumulate "things" in this life and the more things we accumulate the richer we are.  I have heard the expression, "One man's junk is another man's treasure."  It depends on what you want or for what are you looking.  As a young child, I had a collection of things that were valuable to me, one of which was a large glass door knob.  It was shaped in the form of a large jewel.  Even though it looked expensive, it had no value except as a cheap door knob.  For me, it was the Hope Diamond.  It was added to my collection of things.  Today, we go around looking for the things that we want.  We find what we want, add it to our collection, and then use it as a means of currency to acquire something else.    Psalms 50:10 says, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills."  Job 1:21 also reminds us that we came into this world naked and that is the same way we are going to depart from this world.  There is coming a time when it won't matter how much money, gold, silver, jewels, shoes, handbags, shirts, dresses or anything else that you can name will amount to any kind of wealth.  In the above verse, God reminds us that it is all His.  We may have charge of a small amount of things for a season, but the end result is that it all belongs to Him.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians and was encouraging them with the fact that God would supply all of their needs.  The local church in Philippi had been faithful in reaching out to Paul himself and found themselves in a tight position for a time, but Paul reminded them that God certainly could supply the needs that they would have.  The lesson is still there today.  God supplies all of our needs and He does it by His allocation of a few cows here and there.  He is ultimately in charge of all of the wealth in the world.  We also find that God supplies the needs for both the rich and the poor.  I have come to the conclusion that I was poor as a child but didn't even know it.  God always supplied my needs.  In fact, God has always supplied my needs from the glass door knob, a few marbles, peanut butter and jelly up to the can of small change that sits on my desk.  It has been said that if you have change in your pocket, you are among the world's top 15% of the richest people on earth.  So, if you are going through some financial issues, or anything else for that matter, just remember who owns it all.  He owns the pair of jeans with the hole in the knee, the glass door knob and, oh yes, all those cattle on a thousand hills.  Praise God that He takes care of all of our needs.

Access to the Throne

     There are some places I have never been.  One of them was called "Officers Country."  When I was stationed on the destroyer, U. S. S. Mullinix, I had the opportunity to roam around the ship.  There were, however, some areas that I could go.  One of them was called "Officers Country."  That simply meant that no one was allowed in that area who was not an officer in the U. S. Navy.  I could not just go in to look around as to how the officers were living compared to my meager bunk.  I also remember a time when our church youth program constructed a replica of the tabernacle in the fellowship hall of the church.  One day, I wandered downstairs to look at the project.  I got a very strange feeling when I entered the "Holy of Holies."    Even though I knew it wasn't the real tabernacle, I felt as if I didn't belong there.  It is hard for us to go where we know we shouldn't go, but there has been a change due to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  As a believer, I now have access to the very throne of God.  We reflect back on what happened on that day when Christ died on Calvary and we notice the words that the veil that hung between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was ripped from top to bottom.  That was symbolic of the access that we now have because of His death for us.  My access was restricted in the past but because of the finished work of Calvary, I can now go to the very throne of God.  That doesn't make me respect the act any less because I still know that I am in the very presence of God.  I don't have to wait for a special day of the year, or to look for special circumstances.  I just need to go to the throne of grace.  Notice why we are wanting to go there.  There are those two words again, "mercy" and "grace."   It is also involved in finding help in time of need.  I especially like those words.  Have you ever felt as if you have a need that no one can meet?  Have you ever felt alone and desperate?  To be honest, I don't know of any time when I do not have a time of need.  My whole life is filled with times of need and so therefore, to realize the fact of the access to God is something remarkable for me.  There are no "No Trespassing" signs in this area.  Praise God that He has opened the door to His throne for us.

The Bubble

There are some people in the world who have lost their ability to fight off infection. As a result, they have to live in very sterile environments because they are susceptible to even the weakest of germs. They are safe as long as they stay inside of their germ free environment. It is almost like living inside of a bubble that is sealed so no air can get in from the outside that could bring in an airborne virus. Spiritually speaking, we are in the same situation. In the spiritual sense, we have a much more secure "bubble" than those who are worried about germs. This is the spiritual bubble of being in God and in Christ. Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." As you go through the Scriptures, you soon notice that there are many references to one being in God or in Christ Jesus. That is where our protection lies. Nothing can harm us due to the protection of being "in Christ." Satan will try to throw every dart he can against us but we will stand firm simply because the darts are being blocked by the armor that God has given to us. This sphere of protection goes with us no matter where we go. We don't have to be concerned about going out into public because the protection that God offers goes with us. God will take care of us and protect us. We seem to be "invulnerable." That is, we are invulnerable until God is ready to promote us to glory. We won't live forever and there is a time in God's timetable when believers will be called home unless the rapture occurs beforehand. Our protection from God lies in His sovereign will for our lives. Therefore, it is important for us to know just what His will is for us. Naturally, we can find this out by staying in His Word. Are you concerned about the future? Are you bothered about what "might" happen to you? Just be confident with the fact that God has a plan for your life and He didn't just wind you up and is now letting you run down. As a believer, you are "in Christ" and that is the safest place to be. Praise God today for His protection in your life.