The more time it takes to maintain our lifestyles, the less time we have to spend for the things that matter most.
In light of all the fearful predictions being circulated we should take note of what Jesus said,
Matthew 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
After these things the Gentiles seek. The Gentiles spent the bulk of their time in that culture striving for affluence. Social status was of great importance to them and having these things was the motivation of their lives.
Here we have a readjustment of priorities for any true believer in Christ. Seek first! Seek what? A better career, a higher position of authority in the corporate world, a better home, a brand name wardrobe, the best there is to offer in possessions? No!
The Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Some of the most relationally challenged and miserable people on this planet are people with lots of nice things and plenty of money.
Under the current secular mindset you would think they should be happy. But the fact is, it required a lot of sacrifices and time to get where they are.
Some of those sacrifices were relationships that should not have been put on hold until they reached the financial plateau they were striving for. Some of them were relationships that stood in the way of their goals and thus were deemed worthy of sacrifice.
This is not foreign to those who possess ambition in ministry either. Ambition will step on whoever it must to advance it’s own cause.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
