So much time is spent worrying about what the Joneses have! What do they have? A large, new home, extravagantly furnished, is built in the up-scaled district of town. Their transportation has been upgraded to a new BMW. Man, does it sparkle! They have also added a Jacuzzi, new hot tub to the back deck, a tennis court in the rear, and a beautiful garden of flowers surrounding all these. They go on extravagant vacations ? cruises to the Mediterranean, flights to the mountains for skiing and days at the beach, basking in the sun. Their children have a in-house nanny, go to private schools fit for the Queen, and wear the most expensive ?oxfords? you can find! What a family!

What do I have, in comparison? I have a delightful home in the country, without a mortgage. I have no hot tub on the deck; in fact, I have no deck! My vacations are short trips to relatives or on a short bus tour with seniors citizens. My children are grown and gone from home, but, when they were home, we took care of them, when they were not in school. And, sometimes, they got a named-brand clothing, but only when it was on sale.

Following the Jones's down the path of materialism could be a fatal mistake! What assurance do we have that they can afford all the things they have accumulated? Absolutely none! Or, perhaps they can afford it all, but we know we cannot, without jeopardizing our future.

As to the future, what is most important ? material wealth, or spiritual health? I would venture to say it's most important to be in contact with the Lord every day, rather than our broker. It is more important to study the Word of God, rather than the traveling brochures we've just received from the Tour Guide in our area. And, it's most important that we teach our children to prepare for the coming of Christ, rather than being sure they are taught in private schools or wearing the clothing of the time! The world will measure our wealth by our accomplishments, but the Lord will measure our life by the way we have used the knowledge we've been given in the Word of God.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Copyright 2005 by Barbara Sanders, Empire, AL. Used by permission.
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