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Chasing After Wind
Lusting for more
Cathy Irvin
Are you content
with what you have and are you resting in the Lord? Or are you striving for
more and feeling turmoil in your spirit?
“Better one handful with tranquility [peace] than two handfuls
with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6
Let's get some
perspective on what it is we are seeking and what drives us to be discontented.
We must face the fact that we really do get into the flesh. It
is called being "carnally minded."
The desire for so
much materialism can rob us of our peace and can empty out our financial
resources.
We tend to strive
to keep up with the neighbors or feed off every ad that we see or read.
It is the "I
gotta have it" syndrome.
We can get so
caught up and consumed by the first thing we see that we are not looking for
the best buy.
We lack the fruit
of the Spirit called patience.
And don’t think
materialism is just a problem for women.
Men can get just as
easily distracted at big sales for recreational items and automobiles.
We are all guilty
of lusting for more.
Is there a way of
escaping this dilemma? Yes, help is on the way.
Jesus has a plan to
help us: to exercise self-control and to be wise in our financial decisions.
We must not chase
after material things because it is like chasing the wind.
We are running, yet
we are never satisfied. You will find yourself caught up in a whirlwind all the
time.
Last year I
eliminated my debt and got rid of my credit cards. I have learned to live
without them.
I had to put my
mind to it and to discipline myself with my finances. It was worth it!
Whether it is our
eating habits, our exercise habits, or our spiritual habits of reading the
Bible, praying, and attending church, we must take the time and effort to work
on these areas.
The point is that
we all need to find out what is important in life and then learn to use some
self-control.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
I thought I could
not make it without charging.
Now if I really
want to purchase or need a more costly item, I save a little at a time.
Then when there are
sales, I take the time to find the best bargain.
I had a small,
older TV, so I saved the money and got a new and bigger one in the mid-price
range. The Lord certainly provided.
Matthew 6:19-21 speaks of our
treasures in heaven:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and
rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It isn't wrong to
buy nice things, but is wrong to be consumed by them. If they take up all of
our time and focus, then we need to remind ourselves that we need self-control.
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the
desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16
That is the key for
us. We need to walk after spiritual things and to desire them more than the
things of this world!
All Scriptures are quoted from the New International Version of
the Bible.
Cathy
Irvin authored
well over 50 Devotions for CBN over three decades where she served the Lord
Jesus Christ at the Christian Broadcasting Network. Cathy loved telling stories
and glorifying God in all that she did. On December 16, 2011, Cathy left this
earthly dwelling to take up residence in the dwelling prepared for her in
Heaven. Her Devotions minister with love and truth.
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