S) "9 Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
For there is no limit to the treasure-
Wealth from every kind of desirable object."
Nahum 2:9 (NASB)
O) This verse comes in the middle of pandemonium, as the overthrow of Nineveh is prophesied. Chaos rules the streets in this passage, and based on this verse, it seems that looting was going to be rampant. That's mostly to be expected, as the overthrow of any political or military government is bound to result in lawlessness, where people will simply take what they desire. We see this, even today, even in the most wealthy countries. What made this verse jump out at me, though, isn't just that silver and gold were plundered, but the inclusion of the last sentence. Wealth, as is illustrated in this verse, is not constant. Even if a person constantly has a thing that is valuable, there is no guarantee that it will continue to be valuable. All wealth, at its core, is based on how much something is desired. The problem is, those desires are subject to change. Still, this verse draws into focus, that so much of life comes down to a heart issue, including wealth.
A) Wealth is defined by what is desirable. Therefore, I am wealthy or poor, not based on what I have, but what I want. This is the same issue behind idolatry of the heart. It's easy to see how, if I melt down some gold, and craft it how I want, to be an object of adoration or attention or desire, it becomes an idol. It is less obvious, if I take a idea in my heart, craft the thing in my heart how I want, making the desire an object of adoration, attention, or desire- how I have still made an idol in my heart. On the flip side, if I find myself feeling poor, it's all a matter of valuation. If I value the things I have, I will see myself as blessed and wealthy. If I neglect what I have, it will lose valuation, and o will feel poor, regardless of how my wallet looks. The wealthy man doesn't know how to accumulate wealth, but knows how to define it.
P) Father, Your grace is evident to me. You have blessed Your servant with wealth beyond comprehension, if only I would understand it properly. Help me to correctly value the blessings You have given me. Some, I know, are riches beyond compare. The inheritance You give to Your children is beyond measure; it cannot be counted. Open my eyes and ears, to see how I have been blessed, how You have given me wealth. Be glorified by my life, and let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment