Better a little with fear of the LORD than a great treasure with turmoil. - Proverbs 15:16
It could be argued that Solomon was one of the richest persons to have ever lived on the earth. He lived off the spoils of the vast kingdom his father, David, had built. Plus, during his own reign, had acquired for himself a vast wealth by having peace with the nations around him. Solomon built the Temple of the LORD as well as a temple for him and his family, he acquired great wisdom from God, and was a man who could have anything he desired. Yet, as he is teaching his son lessons of life, Solomon speaks many times of having less, of desiring little. I suppose when a person can have everything their heart desires, the heart begins to desire less. Makes sense, honestly, many of us desire those thing we cannot have; however, the few things that we really desire, we are willing to work hard and strive after. There is a great amount of wisdom in the desire for less; perhaps the desire for simplicity.
We could probably think of many of the greatest teachers, philosophers, and preachers throughout history, and we would find that very few of them had much when it came to physical wealth. Instead, these persons desired knowledge and wisdom above all else, and looked for ways to teach in every moment. At some point, however, society changed, or perhaps it never did, but only the words of the wise remained. Seemingly, society no longer has persons who are philosophers; we have people who teach philosophy, who teach theology, but rarely do we come across those who live what they teach, or are leading the world into something new that is beneficial for humankind.
As a disciple, a true follower of Christ, the purest, truest desire is to be like Christ; to have the same love, same compassion, and same mind as Christ. If like Christ, then we should look little like the world, even though, we must still live in the world. Thus, we should live in a world of materialism, but lack a desire for material.
It’s difficult to grasp at first, and I myself, have not fully been able to get around it, because there are so many things in which seem worth our attention. The truth is, however, that desire for what the world offers is the opposite of desiring Christ; for Christ did not desire the things of this world, but the will of God the Father.
Jesus lived a poor sojourner who gave all that he had to those who had need. He even told the rich to sell all they had, give to the poor, then come follow him.
I don’t believe this part of Jesus message is easy, nor is it obsolete, but we should think about those things we truly need, the necessities that we must have, and consider everything else as folly; for where we spend our time and money is where our heart is. Our desire for the mission of the church is evident in our dedication to Christ’s call to make disciples. Right now, the world needs disciples. The world needs workers for the kingdom of heaven, who seek the love of God found in Christ above all else, for the world and its desire for more have lead us to great turmoil.
Where can we all do a little more? How can we all encourage each other to build the treasure of heaven in others? What can each of us do to show the desire for Christ’s presence in every aspect of our lives, that we are the ones bringing about the kingdom of God? Christ as called you, equipped you, and now is waiting on you.
Grace & Peace,
Sam