Burden or rest

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

BURDEN OR REST

Prov 23:4-5

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

NIV

It might be the common perception that it is true wisdom to make money the chief object. Today we have hours of radio programming devoted to the idea of making more money, or learning how to keep more of our money. There are many methods in play for investing for the future gains or increase of our money. On some networks there are multiply companies that would tell us the true, the wise thing to do to secure our future is to buy their gold and silver. It is difficult to incorporate the desire for riches into the life of being a believer. Some Christians have developed a theology which allows them to separate the things of God and the things of the world. Thus they are able to chase after wealth while chasing after God. It does seem odd how they are able to ignore all the scriptures which warn us about chasing after wealth while finding one obscure verse to quote about saving or storing up in season. Here again we are warned not to wear ourselves out to gain wealth. That we should have the wisdom to show restraint. What can be gained by human strength can disappear even faster than it takes to gain it. In wearing ourselves out in the pursuit of riches, we have nothing left for the service of our Lord. Concern or anxiety about our position in life, the amount of money we have, the security of our future state, all wear on the peace Christ has given to us. When Jesus told us that if we are heavy burdened, if the burdens of life are overwhelming, if all our anxieties about life, about money, about financial security are wearing us out, we are to come to him and he will give us rest.

Matt 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest . 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

NIV

Chasing after the things of this world will wear us out, but chasing after God will give us rest. We can live in his rest, his peace, his serenity, his comfort and his security. All God has for us is eternal while all the world has to offer is temporal. Let us keep our focus on God.