28121 SE 448th
Enumclaw, WA. 98022
360-825-5437
I know we live in a consumer driven economy, and it is often argued that wealth may not make you happy, but it is better than being poor…but considering the urgency with which we pursue the acquisition of “stuff” maybe we should remind ourselves of the risks of this modern way of life.
You shall eat, but not be satisfied, and there shall be hunger within you; you shall put away, but not preserve, and what you preserve I will give to the sword. You shall sow, but not reap; you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine. (Micah 6:14-15 ESV)
Some people eat, and no matter how much they eat they are still hungry. Some people change cars so fast the new car smell hasn’t even worn off. Some people work hard to pack it away so that someday they will live the “dream-life” they are working for. And some people don’t get to enjoy what they have worked so long and hard to achieve. They die, or they get terribly sick. They lose their pension when the corporation shuffles the money around. But most of all God is making a promise here to those who have sacrificed honesty and ethical behavior in order to make their fortune. God is promising them that they won’t get what they want. They won’t be satisfied no matter what they eat or how much they eat. Their appetite will always get larger than they can satisfy. Their savings will always fall short of what they want. Their work may not bring the reward they expect. And Micah wants us to understand this truth; that nothing we acquire is capable of satisfying our deepest and greatest need. That’s the punishment of denying God! It’s the cost of doing as you please. You will eat and not be satisfied, put away but not preserve. Sow but not reap. If you try to find meaning and satisfaction in a materialistic way of life, that’s all you get. But it isn’t the way things have to go. There is God’s way….
Lord discipline me, teach me to deny the selfish indulgence of my appetite for things, and bring me wisdom and understanding to live as I ought to live.
