Lord, keep me mindful of what matters.

Man toils to build up wealth, he strives to gain power. He scratches and claws his way to the top only to find there is nothing there but loneliness. He uses any means to build his fortune, but he is never content with his gain. He achieves all that he has set his mind to do, but it does not satisfy.

When will we learn that earthly gain means nothing? All the rices in the world cannot satisfy an empty soul. No amount of money or power or “stuff” can satisfy our longing. If only we would realize there is only one way to fill the void in our hearts – that way is Jesus.

Lord, You have warned us, “what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul”? What indeed? Solomon the Preacher advises us “He has also set eternity in their heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). And again, “Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, “I know,” he cannot discover. (Ecclesiastes 8:17) We may think we want the riches this world has to offer, that is just another of Satan’s lies; what our hearts really long for is You. The “abundance” of the wicked is a paltry substitute for the riches to be had in Christ Jesus.

Lord, You bless me so richly. Yes, even with material blessings. May I never forget that all that I have comes from Your hand. May I never forget Jesus, that if I didn’t have You, I could own the world and it would be as nothing.

Lord, set my heart on the riches of Your kingdom.

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“Songs in the Morning” Sandra Bivens Smith. Copyright ©️ 2023