My husband and I have a coffee pot we received as a wedding gift almost 12 years ago that we’ve never used. Neither one of us drinks coffee. And yet, we still have it.
What if we have a guest over someday who wants coffee? It makes sense to keep it, right?
Many of us in America struggle to maintain just what we need—and no more—in a culture of abundance and excess. Our needs may be met, but we still compare and long for more, convinced our wants are needs. Counter-cultural individuals fight this drive by striving for less. But neither extreme nor any place along the spectrum between can give us just what we need, because we don’t know what we need. That “something missing” is not tangible, and as much as we may try to acquire it on our own, it cannot be bought, bartered, or earned.
Jesus met someone struggling with a similar issue during His time on earth. Christ saw the hold money and possessions had on the rich young ruler’s life and told him to give it up, to be free of the burden of “more” and instead find the “perfectly just enough” that God provides. But sadly, the young man couldn’t let go (Mark 10:17-27).
In his message “Is Something Missing in Your Life?” Dr. Stanley explains that the rich young ruler rejected Christ’s offer of salvation for three reasons:
• Unbelief. He couldn’t accept what Jesus said or entrust his future into His hands.
• Self-righteousness. He trusted in his own goodness as the means for God’s acceptance.
• Love of the world. He would not let go of his wealth and possessions in order to follow Christ.
What are you holding onto that is keeping you from experiencing God’s best in your life? Are you trying to meet your needs by the hard work of your own hands? Or of your mind? If you have not surrendered your heart and life to Christ’s leadership, then let today be the day you do. Because putting your faith in God is the only investment that guarantees a great inheritance and treasures in heaven.
Written by Linda Canup
