When do plan to be free of all your stuff?

Ecclesiastes 5:15New Living Translation (NLT)15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.

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I'm moving from one country to another. Moving house with a very limited removals vehicle has forced some hard decisions. Do you keep the children's school art (they've all grown up). You read that book years ago, why do you need to keep carrying it? Possessions own us! We desire them. They weigh us down. Quite literally they weigh a lot! I was looking on web sites that estimate the weight of a person's household to make sure the hired 3.5 ton Luton van with 15.5 cubic meters can safely carry the sum of my worldly possessions.

My mind is loaded with thoughts on this subject.

A few years ago I decided I need a new rucksack (sm day backpack) to carry my stuff for work, as well as the all important pack up (lunch), and maybe a laptop too. I decided a large-ish one made by Victorinox (the Swiss Army Knife People) weighed in as the winner. Firstly, it seems other middle aged guys had the same idea, since I started seeing them around town. Second, I noticed they were really too big, unfortunately after I bought it (You look like a pregnant mule is strapped to your back). Third, I should have known the first rule of bags (and life for that matter), You tend to fill all the space available. 

The bigger your bag the more you carry. Just in case! The bag owns you, you are just the willing pack horse for stuff that wants to move around!

The Daughter of Davis are an inspirational band made up of two sisters (Fern and Adrienne) who sold everything they had to buy a camper van to tour for two years around the United Kingdom. In a real sort of way, they lightened their load so they could follow their dreams. Well they sing a song called Butterfly. I must confess even when I am an ardent fan, I struggle to catch and sing along with all the lyrics. This leads to alternate lyrics. 

So when I heard the line, 'I could get into this living life ' I was sure they were singing, 'I could get into this living light' and further it made perfect sense to me as they sold everything and a butterfly is so light. The point is living light feels so good. We love to travel light but we don't. We clutter our life all up with junk. And if it is not actual physical junk it is emotional 'baggage'.


Bethany, my daughter did her gold Duke of Edinburgh award this year. One of the requirements is a group orienteering camping exercise for six days in the countryside. One of the binding principles is that you can only use what you can carry! No stopping off at the corner store or some outdoor shop along the way to get supplies. So the common schoolgirl error is to carry too much stuff, just in case. So the trick is to carry just the right amount of stuff. Enough to survive but not so much as to be burdened down.



I'm sure that's why the author of Hebrews encourages his readers to strip off the weight that slows us down.

Hebrews 12:1-2New Living Translation (NLT)12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

(I can't find the original artist to give credit or ask permission.)

Pictured above is a classic woodcut rendering of the character, Christian in John Bunyan's epic tale Pilgrim's Progress. In the following passage Christian is freed from the burden that weighs him down.

Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation. Isaiah 26:1. Up this way, therefore, did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, “He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.” Then he stood still a while, to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked, therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bunyan/pilgrim.iv.iii.html

Sooner or later you will lose all the stuff you are carrying. The choice is up to you whether you loose it like Christian at the foot of the cross or if you'll lose it when you get to your grave. Did you know if it isn't in Christ it isn't going to make it to the otherside. Some good things, even gifts from God, are for this life only and many only for a time. All things should be held with lose hands. For naked and alone you came into the world with nothing and naked and alone you shall leave.

Mark 8:36 (KJ21)36 For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

"Loosen your grip," I heard one night in a prayerful vision more than 13 years ago. For some reason I find this a hard thing to do. But by degrees God is graciously prying my stone cold grip off the weights and encumbrances.


Jesus has more than filled my hands with blessings. But there is no blessing greater than the blessing giver himself. I can embrace him best if my hands aren't full.

The greatest hidden miracle?

Exodus 39:32-43 NIV

So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather and the shielding curtain; the ark of the covenant law with its poles and the atonement cover; the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its accessories, and the olive oil for the light; the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent; the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.  The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

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People prize things.

Crossing the Red Sea was quite the miracle. But I'm inclined to see the building of the tabernacle as an even greater miracle.

To be sure there were a lot of people (maybe  more than a million) and since they were facing a wet wide deep sea they had their proverbial backs against the wall. There were ducks, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, and all manner of livestock. Then there was the large load of swag. Everybody had a looters paradise of booty. Wonderful to possess but a pig to transport. And lastly there was an army with horses and chariots in hot pursuit intent on getting back the contents of the of their mattresses, closets and safety deposit boxes. So the Israelites had a big motivation to exit stage left and make like a tree and leave.
The rest of the story is well known rehearsed and sung about for many millenia. Dry crossing was provided by God for the Israelites as a trap to bury Pharaoh's army, horses, chariots and at the bottom of the sea in Davy Jones' locker.

But think about it everyone was highly motivated by survival and treasure! A combination that has kept the laziest focused and active.

Now consider the tabernacle. First miracle is that God's people give so much by way of  building materials the workers have to ask Moses to stop the people. Unbridled generosity is rare in an individual and then to see a band of refugees give up more than a ton of gold, and absolutely train loads of other materials willingly is unprecedented and unparalleled. Take for instance the bronze basin recorded for us and paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in the Message (Exodus 38:8 MSG)

He made the Bronze Washbasin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women's work group who were assigned to serve at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Thier mirrors would have been highly valued items, often used and greatly desirable.

Then there's the fact the tabernacle was finished exactly according to plan, on time and with a budget surplus.

There were no overruns, nothing over budget, all the required skill was procured in house nothing had to be subbed out to another nation.

With so many people working on a project in the middle of no where makes the US Navy sea bees look like complete armatures.
And everything fit. And worked together. Neither the function nor the artistry was compromised. Every detail was finely crafted.

And why? These people complained about food, water, wandering, Moses' extended quiet time and they made the golden calf idol to worship thereby breaking the first simple rule they were given.

The tabernacle didn't feed them, it didn't increase their wealth. Most of them would never see the pretty parts of the tabernacle.

On every level this tabernacle project defies logic and human nature.

Truly this was one of the most extraordinary miracles ever recorded in human history.

Oh and it wasn't completed by taxing the people nor by commanding or coercion.

Exodus 35:29 NLT

So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord .

This could be the greatest miracle in all of Exodus.

Has God done anything like this in your heart, or in your church?

Big Tax Refund

Exodus 3:21-22 NLT

And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed. Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth.”

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Another reversal jumps from the pages of the Bible. And this time it's wealth that is redistributed. Throughout Genesis I saw a lot of position, prestige and status reversals. There were some plot spoilers where riches were caused by God to multiply for the person being mistreated. The spotted, stripped, and speckled sheep and goats scenario between Jacob and Laban was a situation where God saw to it that his people weren't swindled. And that's what this is all about.

God isn't arbitrarily shuffling the money deck and then dealing a bad hand to the Egyptians while dealing off the bottom of the deck for his people. No, not at all. God is righting a wrong. That's what a God of justice does.

So before you get your gimme hands ta grasping consider if you've been doing right by others with what God's given you!

Far too often people in the church start naming and claiming blessings, promises, riches, happiness and botox from their personal God genie. But they fail to see how long the injustice period had gone on. They choose to ignore the fact that literally days after one of the greatest wealth redistributions in history the lotto winners were full of fear and complaints. Riches will not make you happy. More will not solve your problems.

But God is keeping score.

Bingham Park at 20:30 03/06/13

And he loves to make things right. So if you've been done wrong God has a plan to give you justice. Consider it a heavenly savings plan.

There are plenty of God's people who have been taken advantage of. You may be one of the people suffering in silence, groaning to God as your hard earned cash is clothing the rich in Versace and Prada. But rest assured God will hear you. And someday and in some way the wrong will be righted.

Can you trust God? Can you let him provide for you?

Moses here gets the Exodus master plan from God. And as a reminder he's Abraham's God. He's Isaacs God. He's Jacob's God. That's an impressive list. God made sure each of them had plenty. Each started out with meager beginnings and each faced an obstacle of significant portion. But in each case God provided.

God is faithful. He always provides what you need.

And far more than riches you need a heart change. Remember that all though these former slaves turned into the wealthy making a stunning exit left rich they quickly and repeatedly were unsatisfied.

So make sure you desire the right riches. God does want to right the financial wrongs but more than your bank balance it's your heart that needs to be rescued.

Lie, cheat, do what ever it takes?

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013

A veritable treasure trove of wisdom

Luke 16:9-15 NLT

Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.  And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?  And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

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The stealthy wealth of wise statements above is Jesus summary of the story I pasted below.

(if you are unfamiliar with the story you may need to read it first below before reading my thoughts, otherwise you may not understand.)

Many people struggle with the story of the "shrewd servant." But I think it is because the parable told by Jesus was designed to reveal the misplaced love of money. People might say that it is the commendation of dishonesty that doesn't sit well with them. But rather than the dishonesty it is usually the collusion to deprive the owner of more wealth. I'm not condoning theft, white collar crime, lying or conspiracy to defraud. But actually neither is Jesus. So what is Jesus commending so voraciously? Firstly, I think the "shrewd servant"  believed in a coming judgment. He could read the hand writing on the wall and did whatever it took to avoid the penalty of judgement. Even before we get to the money issues we need to see the essence of the Gospel message begins with the problem of sin and the resulting coming wrath of God. The guy in the scenario took fully on board the impending dilemma and considered his options. Have you? Secondly, our intrepid manager understood he'd never have the resources to face the future alone. He wasn't a rugged indiviualist who by pulling himself up by his own boot straps (that bootstrap act never works by the way, defies the laws of physics and such.) was going to make it on his own. No man's an island and all that jazz. Nope, this sentenced fellow sought strength in numbers. He realised his future would be found in the kindness of others. All our resources, our money, our influence, or networks need to be leveraged towards one goal. Money and friends are worthless unless used for a greater goal. But the goal Jesus had in mind was far greater than the future comfort of this simple yet shrewd steward. Jesus says that if selfish people have the foresight to look ahead and pad things out for their retirement on earth because they can see the inevitable coming, how much more should we who believe in the Kingdom of God be using everything at our disposal to secure the future of as many people as can be? And you bet that means your money. Of course Jesus means your honestly earned or inherited money but your money should never be about your temporal comfort or personal accumulation. Your money (ha, nothing is yours really)  is and was always meant for you to further God's kingdom. All that you have been entrusted with is for heavenly purpose, first, last, full stop! Period!

It's not yours, it never was. So what are you doing with your master's wealth? Whose future are you securing? What friends are you making? How are you demonstrating you serve Jesus and not your own self interests?

Can you see that Jesus isn't condoning this guy at all? He's saying by comparison, do you believe in your future (actually God's) as much? What are you doing about it? How are you as a steward? Maybe like Janet Jackson, Jesus is saying to you today," what have you done for me lately? "

The little things are the common grace things afforded everyone by a gracious God. So what for his Kingdom are you doing with the air you breath and the food you eat? Want more? Will you use it to see more people into his kingdom? That's the question God is asking you? Even Job, who was excessively rich, used his wealth for the good of the poor and the weak. Job secured justice in the courts for those whose poverty would only work against them.

The question is do you love God? Do you believe that his kingdom is the most important thing is to seek. Show it by your use of your money, power, and influence, as little as it may be.

Like Rahab? Do what it takes! Save yourself, save your family and friends!

(some thoughts influenced by Tim Chester's sermon http://www.thecrowdedhouse.org/luke#)

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Luke 16:1-8 NLT

Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money.  So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg.  Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’  The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons. ’ “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels. ’ “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.

Delmar was right!

Luke 12:15-21 NLT

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.  He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’  Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.  And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

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This test reveals the state of our heart. Do you really trust Jesus to meet your needs?

Talk about countercultural,  seems Everything that has breath in this world is either praising wealth or seeking it. But Delmar's advise to Pete in O Brother Where Art Thou is good advice,  "Do not seek the treasure!"  Unless it is the treasure of having your sins washed away, even if it's knocking over the Piggly Wiggly and then lying about it. See what seeking the world's treasure leads to.

Jesus wants to know if you love and trust him more than wealth. Evaluate your goals, your actions, your time, your pride, your desires or your giving. What does it reveal?

I think it is impossible to trust God for all your needs unless He has worked the miracle of redemption in your soul.

But if you are a real believer I still don't think it will be easy or immediately natural to love God more than money. But I know you'll know it's the right way to live. You'll feel the struggle. You'll want to trust God more than money. And in many ways you'll begin to show it by giving to to others in need. You won't always think you'd be happier if you had a little more.
You will find a way to share. You'll think about others' needs more than you think of your own desires. And you won't keep hoping you hit it big in the lottery, or that a rich relative will leave you a bundle. You won't fall for some insurance scam, law offices advert or class action suit.
Your hope will not be in wealth.

You'll believe that a rich relationship with God is better than anything else.

You'll invest in your relationship with God. You'll read his word. You'll obey out of love. You'll not seek this world's empty treasure.

So how's your heart? What does it reveal?

Here read a bit more of what Jesus said about this :

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Luke 12:22-34 NLT

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Thoughts on being poor.

How or why is blessing is often equated with wealth and ease.

People usually think it is a blessing to be rich, but the Bible warns us against wanting to be rich. Why are we to be cautious about wealth?

Job 1:1-5 NLT

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

What problems did riches not solve for Job?

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Why is poverty is seen far too often as a curse brought on oneself.

Job 1:20-22 NLT

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord !” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

It is a shame in this world to be poor. The poor are treated with contempt and often thought of as lazy or lacking good moral character. Many people think poverty is a curse brought upon people for their own ignorance or sin.  How is that view challenged and supported by Job’s story?

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What is the relationship between health and wealth?

Job 2:4-5 NLT

Satan replied to the Lord , “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

How does wealth effect health?  Why are the poor vulnerable?  What value is wealth to a very sick person? What does Satan think of the relationship of health and wealth?

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What does an admirable righteous life look like?

Job 29:12-17 NLT

For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

Why did Job tell us about what he did for the poor?

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What does a just life consist of?

Job 31:6, 16-25 NLT

Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity. “Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? “If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket! That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?

According to Job what should a wealthy person do with their wealth?
And what should they not do with their wealth?

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What do people think of God's opinion of the poor?

Job 34:28 NLT

They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy.

Job got a lot of bad advice from his friends and family. But among all this we learn a bit of what people think about God's view of the poor.  How does the view expressed here similar or different to views you encounter today?  What about among Muslims, Christians, conservatives, democrats, labour, Buddhists, Hindus?
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Psalms & Proverbs

Psalms 140:12 NLT

But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.

Proverbs 14:31 NLT

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

19:17 - - God identifys with the poor.
22:09 - - Blessing is associated with helping the poor.
28:03 - - What are the consequences of individual oppression?
31:8-9 -  -  We are told to defend the poor.



Psalms 82:3-4 NLT

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

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Gospels

Matthew 11:5
Luke 4:18, 11:41

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Jesus

2 Corinthians 8:9

Became poor so we could be rich.

How can we change our thinking about wealth and poverty?

In what ways can we be like Jesus concerning or attitudes of wealth and poverty?

What does it mean to be just or righteous towards the poor?

In what ways specifically van we change?
How will this change of view effect our spending, our earning, our giving, or generosity?
How proactive for the poor should we become?
Can you think of other places in the Bible that addresses the disparity between rich and poor in the Bible?  (James)

Further related thoughts :

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/1-timothy-66-10-nlt-yet-true-godliness.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/there-should-be-some-equality.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/why-do-you-want-to-make-it-so-hard-on.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/what-is-your-fate.html?m=1

Psalms 112:9 NLT They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. Psalms 146:6-9 NLT He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Why do the enviable wicked seem to live such painless lives?

Psalms 73:1-28 NLT

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me,
I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

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Are you green? Has envy stricken you? If it has you are vulnerable to slipping away from God.

It may appear now that life is not fair. Look at this Psalm. The writer is very honest. It doesn't seem right that evil, wicked, godless people look like they're getting away with it all. They've got nice tan healthy fit bodies and they live in huge homes with expensive cars. The godless appear to be getting one over on God.
And it doesn't seem fair. Why does God let them get away with murder?

It feels like, "I get nothing but trouble all day long;" and that "every morning brings me pain." Do you ever feel like that?

It doesn't stay that way though. God will make things right. We just have to be patient. God's apparent slowness to bring justice is motivated by his grace and mercy. It is the same grace and mercy you need to be saved.

And yet ultimately the wicked will slip off the cliff of justice! The godless will meet their destruction. All is not as it appears. It may seem like wicked people are making a mockery of God and his people but God promises that it is temporary!

But this envy you have misses the point and reveals an unbelief on your part. You and I need to get our focus off the wealth of the wicked and onto God.

God is offering us himself. And more than our health, more than our will to succeed, we can be in love with God.

Let God so captivate you that you are filled with all you desire. Look way into the future and see that nothing, not even death will separate you from God. A fall in the economy will not strip you of the wealth of His love, he is yours forever. Live threatening disease can not take away the strength of God's presence with you. Pain will only bring him closer. Suffering only serves to make him more glorious. Loss only reveals the great gain that is had in following him.
What the rich of this world have is fleeting,  empty and leads to certain destruction.

Tell everyone that God is better than anything this world has to offer!