| How often it has been among God’s redeemed people that we allow ourselves to be “choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life,” forgetting that “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word.” So, when God permits earthly prosperity to come to His children, often it has to be said that “they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten Me.” And this is in spite of our Lord’s words that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Earthly possessions in themselves do not give joy, but fellowship with the Lord does. Therefore, we have the admonition to “charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Nothing on earth can bring joy and pleasure comparable to the joy and pleasure of obedience to and communion with our Lord. “How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied … and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.” |
