Finally, I got the big break that people always talk about. I never thought it would happen to me. It had been tough sledding. But last July, despite the pandemic, things started to happen. I got an unexpected promotion; my salary almost doubled overnight. My aunt died and left me her Mercedes Benz Coup. A huge manufacturer is relocating, and the value of our home is going through the roof. We had three offers at triple what we paid for it, but I’m holding out for more. There’s a bidding war going on. And the icing on the cake came last week; our Ragdoll cat had eight kittens. 8 X $1000=!! So you can see why I’ve been on my knees lately and why I love the Lord.
There’s a brand of so-called spirituality driven by loot, luxury and leisure. It’s so misleading to tell seeking sinners: “Accept Christ as your Saviour, and your life will blossom financially, socially, emotionally, spiritually and in every other way.” Of course, Jesus never came even close to intimating such a thing. He promised His followers tears and struggles in this life and His constant presence in this life and forever.
For Christians, there’s another concern: we can be deceived as to our own spiritual growth and depth of spirituality. When the sailing is smooth, and our circumstances bring us smiles rather than tears, we can happily involve ourselves in spiritual activities, thanking the Lord for His blessings. But really, how deep is our relationship with God?
Satan spoke with God one day about a very honourable man named Job. God said he was exemplary. But Satan was convinced it was all related to Job’s benefits and blessings. Satan thought he could put two and two together and come up with the answer. Single file, Job owned 8.2 kilometers of camels, 8.5 kms of sheep, 2.1 kms of oxen and 1.3 kms of donkeys—a not-too-shabby collection of livestock – not to mention the blessing of having seven sons and three daughters. You can almost hear the hostility in Satan’s voice:
“Anyone would trust God with blessings like that! But, touch some of his possessions, and then You will see a different Job for sure. He’s in it for what he’s getting out of it. Take it away, and you won’t be bragging about Your servant then!”
When Job lost all of the above, he knew he still had God. That’s when we get a glimpse into the depth of his spirituality and his unwavering confidence in God. Here’s Job’s response to the catastrophic developments in his life:
Then Job arose, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20-21
Is my worship and praise of God indexed to my material blessings and circumstances?
Does the enjoyment of my relationship with the Lord fluctuate like a yo-yo? Is it mostly dependant on whether or not He gives me what I want?
Is my worship based on the incredible privilege of ‘knowing’ God, or could it be classified as benefits-based worship? Thankfulness and gratitude for material blessings received should be a given – the bare minimum. Even Satan could understand a relationship like that.
If my enjoyment of God and singing heart is primarily driven by circumstances and blessings, then my spirituality and my intimacy with God is not very deep at all.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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