Kaleb, as one who recognizes the talents he has been given, I am often prone to anxiety over whether or not I am realizing a proper return on the Lord's investment. There is a tendency to mirror the sadness of the rich man in Luke 18; 18-23. What is your insight into this?
You have taken the first step by recognizing your God-given talents - that is often difficult enough for many people. The sadness of the rich man poses its own difficulties. Not everyone is called to total poverty, and Christ did not give that command to everyone, but He also said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." (Lk 18:24) Even for those not called to radical poverty, St. Paul reminds us, "This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away." (1 Cor 7:29-31)
I think this is key. We should be grateful for everything that we possess or use in this world and always be willing to lose it for others, and if it is taken from us, we should not despair but remain thankful and trust in God alone. Possession is a matter of the heart more than the wallet, but even so, many Christians own far more than they should and deprive the poor and flaunt their wealth as a sign of God's favor. This is a grave scandal. Wealth should be used to glorify God and serve our neighbor, and only for ourselves in third place. Be thankful for the anxiety you feel about pleasing God - many are indifferent towards Him!
Thank you Kaleb. Always enjoy your writing. Appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless.
Kaleb, as one who recognizes the talents he has been given, I am often prone to anxiety over whether or not I am realizing a proper return on the Lord's investment. There is a tendency to mirror the sadness of the rich man in Luke 18; 18-23. What is your insight into this?
You have taken the first step by recognizing your God-given talents - that is often difficult enough for many people. The sadness of the rich man poses its own difficulties. Not everyone is called to total poverty, and Christ did not give that command to everyone, but He also said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." (Lk 18:24) Even for those not called to radical poverty, St. Paul reminds us, "This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away." (1 Cor 7:29-31)
I think this is key. We should be grateful for everything that we possess or use in this world and always be willing to lose it for others, and if it is taken from us, we should not despair but remain thankful and trust in God alone. Possession is a matter of the heart more than the wallet, but even so, many Christians own far more than they should and deprive the poor and flaunt their wealth as a sign of God's favor. This is a grave scandal. Wealth should be used to glorify God and serve our neighbor, and only for ourselves in third place. Be thankful for the anxiety you feel about pleasing God - many are indifferent towards Him!
God bless!