DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The Greater Blessing
by Judy Webb
"They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin. They took pride in their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols. They made it into vile images; therefore, I will make it a thing unclean for them." (Ezekiel 9:19-20)
The time for God’s judgment had come, captivity was upon them. Prophets have been warning of this eventuality, but the people did not pay attention. They didn’t take advantage of their opportunity to embrace God and change their sinful behavior. They treasured their sinful ways more than God's blessing.
Material things would be of no value to them. We learn the same things today. All the riches and wealth we can amass will be of no help, no consolation, when Jesus returns. We are either ready or we are not. It’s that simple. In that final day, material things will be of no help. Then, as now, we believe the more you have the better off you are, even the happier you are. The old saying, “money can’t buy happiness,” is true yet today. Money can’t buy salvation either; there is no buying our way into heaven. Material possessions will be useless on that final day.
So why do so many of us seek after such riches? Why do we sometimes give up our valuable standing in life, our reputation and good name, to chase after a beefed-up portfolio, or a top-of-the-line vehicle—all things of little salvational value? Because we have not yet learned the lesson from 1 John 2:17: "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
PRAYER
Jesus,
Teach us to value that which you value. Show us how important love and repentance are to our very existence; in this world and the next. Come, Holy Spirit and fill us with wisdom and understanding. Amen.
