Scripture
I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned.
~Ecclesiastes 2:18, NLT
Quote
“There is perhaps nothing worse than reaching the top of the ladder and discovering that you’re on the wrong wall.”
There is no evil is having goals or trying to reach them but when we make wealth, wisdom or pleasure our quest in life, we are bound to end up disappointed. I want you to think for a moment about something Paul said to Timothy… But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. Paul did not say, “People who get rich fall into temptation,” he said, “people who long to be rich.” Literally, it could read, “Those who will to get rich.” In other words, those who deliberately make their life’s purpose a quest for wealth. If a man makes wealth, fame, wisdom, pleasure or worldly success his quest, he immediately becomes an idolater because he is putting these things before God. Abraham’s quest was to please God and he became wealthy in the process but his goal was never wealth and thus he had no grief when it came time to part with his earthly possessions.
No passion is to exceed our passion for pleasing God. Several years ago, I took a couple of courses: the first was SEVEN HABITS [which I highly recommend] and the second was “WHAT MATTERS MOST.” There is something in the life of every human being that MATTERS MOST. A part of our class assignment was to write out our life’s mission statement or purpose statement. After a lot of thought and prayer, my purpose statement got boiled down to 12 words: My purpose is life is to obey and to exalt Jesus Christ. It was not to be successful, it was not to pastor a church; as important as my family is to me, it was not to protect my family or keep my family in tact. My instructor told me, “Do not have a purpose that another human can block.” I don’t have to be successful to achieve my purpose; I don’t have to pastor a church or be married–all I have to do is obey Christ and honor Him.
The point is this–you cannot make anything other than pleasing Christ your main passion or else you have broken the first and the great commandment which is loving God with all your heart. When you make wealth, success or pleasure your goal, you also make them your god and that will eventually leave you empty and very unfulfilled. Solomon was a very bright person. He was not stupid. I have no doubt that he was an intellectual giant but intelligent people do dumb things. Intelligent people throw their lives away. I don’t know how much you know about Drug Rehab institutions but they are not filled with morons as you might think. They are filled with intelligent, highly gifted people who have done something very stupid. I’m just letting you know, a high I.Q. doesn’t insure your success. Trust in Jesus with all your heart: do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge Jesus as LORD in all things and He will give you direction. Make knowing Jesus your Quest!
Well folks, it has been a week and it’s not over. I’ve been fighting traffic and getting home late every night and I am tired. My cousin Karen made it through the surgery [4 by-passes, two with 100% blockage] but she is not doing well. Basically, she is on life-support and we are praying that her organs will begin to function at a level where she can come off the vent. Please pray for her husband David and her two children Alesha and Christopher. She does have a wonderful family. I am impressed with the way they care for Karen. For all you Mississippi State folks out there: David’s father was a professor at State and David grew up in Starkville. He is a good man and he and his children are hurting. Please, I beg you, lift the Emerichs up in prayer.