The Desire to Acquire

If you could have anything what would you want?

Most people could rattle off a list of many things. Many people think that by obtaining certain things that they can gain happiness, importance, or security. When they finally get that one thing that they think will satisfy them, the feeling doesn't last long. Possessions only provide us with temporary happiness. We eventually get bored with our new toys and we want newer and better versions. Just as the happiness is only temporary so is that feeling of importance from having more things. God says that the most important things in life cannot be seen. The feeling of security you may get from having more money or things is a false one. You could lose everything you own tomorrow.

Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions. - Mark 10:21-22

If Jesus asked could you give up your house? your car? your level of income? your current job position?

While we are not all called to give up our possessions, we must not let them keep us from following Jesus. We must remove any and all barriers that keep us from serving him fully.

Saved by the Grace of God

"He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding." Eph 1:7-8 NLT

God has showered his kindness upon us - this is God's "Grace".

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Eph 2:8 NIV

We can't earn our salvation and we don't deserve it. We can go to church every Sunday, meet our quota of good deeds for the week, and attempt to lead our lives to near perfection and still not gain our salvation. It is only through God's mercy and love that we recieve our salvation. Without God's grace, nobody can be saved. The only way to recieve His grace is to admit that we cannot save ourselves. Only God can save us, and the only way is through his grace that we recieve by having faith in Christ. While nothing that we do can help us obtain salvation, God intends that our salvation will result in acts of service. It is out of gratitude for God's free gift that we should seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness.

When someone gives you a gift do you ask them how much you owe them? No, the appropriate response would be to thank them. Yet, many christians after being given the gift of salvation feel that they must try to work their way to God. Instead we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy.

"I will praise you, O LORD , with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. " Psalm 9:1-2 NIV