The man was rich, as rich as could be
The man had all that could be had
The man pulled down the little tents
The man bought up the fancy frills
The man built up the biggest barn
The man filled it with fittest fruits
The man heaved out the loudest sigh
The man surmised, “No more wants.”
The man slid into bed that night
The Lord took home the man that night
The wealth went to another next day.

Food For Thought: If not for our endless wants for more, life will be more peaceful and fruitful. A lot of our strivings are not birthed by need. Many of us have our daily needs met; roof over our heads, clothes on our bodies, bread to eat, and seed to sow. The challenge springs from the fact that the neighbor’s house is bigger, they have extra cars and we don’t, their food is more exotic, they own a thousand more than we do. Consequently, we are scrambling from day to day to catch up with those we won’t stop comparing ourselves with, as if they are sitting on a spot waiting for us to catch up. Only kids play catch up. In life, everybody wants to stay ahead. And that desire to be up front turns to passion that drives men to extremes. If only we will remember the parable of the man who worked so hard to amass so much more than he truly needed – a full barn is not always a full heart. If we could remember that after gaining much, he enjoyed it not – much acquisition does not mean enjoyment. If only we could remember that when he thought he had arrived, his soul was demanded, bringing all his labors to naught. If we will remember that he could not take one thing out of all he amassed with him. If we could remember that another who didn’t know and probably doesn’t care about his sweat will take over and dispense of the dead man’s acquisitions. If we could remember that sufficient for the day is our due and therein be content. If only we remember, we will not make the same mistake that rich man made.

Scripture: Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.” Luke 12: 22.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when the world is busy amassing wealth that perishes with time, guide me to secure my treasures where times and thieves cannot reach and spoil, amen.