Daily devotion – a voice from the past
Phl 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
1Ti 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
We live in a society that is driven by the pursuit for comfort. Could this be the reason that there is so much discontent and anxiety in the world now? That we are on a constant treadmill seeking that which does not satisfy? Attempting to satiate the ever-burning fire within of selfishishness?
Jesus even addressed the matter of discontent about salaries in His day.
Luk 3:14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
I was given a book to read this week by one of our pastors which is actually a set of devotions of a devout follower of Christ who was born in 1379. As I quickly ran my eyes over the text I was struck by the stark reality of a follower of Christ’s mindset back at that time compared to ours now?
The author wrote the following, “Why do you seek rest when you have been born to labour? Prepare yourself for patience more than comforts, and for bearing the cross more than joy. For spiritual comforts exceed all the delights of the world, and all the pleasures of the flesh. For worldly delights are either empty or unclean, whilst spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honourable….”
We were born to work, the Bible tells us that one who does not work should not eat. Even Adam was told to work by tending the garden. After he sinned, the Lord still spoke about Adam working but with the results of sin also to manage.
There is much to be said about our seeking comfort more than the Cross as Jesus said that only those who denied themselves could take up the Cross and follow Him.
How far have we the Church of Jesus Christ living in the wealthy western world drifted from the attitude and action of those who loved Christ many years before us?
Take a moment this week and review your position compared to our dear brother in Christ back 700 plus years previously.
How dangerously close are we drifting to fitting the Church of Laodicea that Jesus wrote? A Church that He described as being poor blind, naked and selfishly living without Christ?
Rev 3:17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Rev 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
The author, Thomas a’ Kempis, went on to write the following, “Be thankful, therefore, for the least benefit and you shall be worthy to receive greater.”