What Do You Really Need?
I want to tell you a little story about a guy that I knew here in Jellico, TN. He lived in the projects with his beautiful wife, and his three stepchildren. Her nor him had a job, but he did odd jobs to make a little money here and there. Mowed grass, farming, a little manual labor, etc. Just what ever came his way.
They were in church, celebrate recovery, and were youth leaders. This guy had little, but he had everything! Life had never been experienced with this kind of joy and happiness by him before. As time went on, he started to have the need to debate the Bible with those whom he thought were just getting it all wrong. The name it claim it preachers; the prosperity preachers; etc. The “you send me this donation and God is going to bless you abundantly guy.”
Which, we should share the truth of the gospel with those who distort it for their own personal gain. What we should not do is pick up their nasty characteristics while we are doing it! You see, that is exactly what happened to this guy that I am speaking of.
Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth (1 Timothy 6:4-5a, NLT). This guy ended up becoming just like those whom he was trying to shine the light on, easily forgetting the true purpose of the gospel and the mission of the church and his devotion to Christ.
He started seeing all his friends having these nice things, homes, cars, clothing, and all the accessories. He found a good paying job and eventually, he had all these things too. But it was at an extreme cost. One that would ultimately bring him to lose everything that he had!
His job was demanding. He had to work long hours and did not have time for the ministry anymore. He had to step down as youth leader and encourager coach at celebrate recovery. His wife trusted his decisions and followed him, even though she loved the youth ministry and celebrate recovery more than anything!
Overtime the stress of the job and the stress of the poor decisions made by this guy, took a downward spiral. He began drinking, watching porn, and talking to other girls. He had the strong desire to seek acceptance. He needed to feel good about himself. He was not getting that kind of treatment at home and felt as if no one appreciated the sacrifices that he was making by working all these long hours and buying all this stuff. The truth is – his wife and family were dealing with the change of this new life as well.
People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:9-10, NLT).
The man that lived in the projects with his beautiful wife, served in the church, had a wonderful relationship with God, and his family, left it all behind in the pursuit to find happiness in money which could not be done. Relationships started to deteriorate, and everything started to fall apart. He gave up everything for nothing! He was on top of the world and chose willingly to sink all the way to the bottom of the pit!
Money and worldly things can be used for good, or they can be used for evil and our own selfish desires. It is so easy to be tempted in this situation (verse 9). Be careful what you wish for! Do not let worldly possessions become your downfall. There is nothing wrong with working hard and having some things for your family. It is the driving force behind it that is the most important. Are you doing it for selfish desires, or are you doing it for the glory of God?
I know this story quite too well because the guy that I was talking about is me. True happiness is like a breeze of wind on a hot and humid day. We do not realize how wonderful it is until it has already passed by!
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3, NLT).
Add a little water, food, and clothing (1 Tim 6:8), and we have all of our fundamental needs. Everything that we will ever need – nothing more!
Hope this blesses you abundantly! If you see yourself making some of the same mistakes that I made, there is time to change it. You can have nothing in this world, but if you have a relationship with God and people that love you – you have everything! Nothing can replace that!
Chris Stringer, May 11th, 2020
Be Encouraged, Chris
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