Possessions: September 10, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2013.

POSSESSIONS

DEFINITION:  

Property or wealth; ownership; a thing owned.

SCRIPTURE:

For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them. Psalm 44:3

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We must first realize in life that everything we have on this earth is because of God. He is the "owner" and all that we have is on loan to us. Possessions are "things" that God loans to us and He expects us to use these "things” to honor Him.

In Psalm 44:3 (listed above), the Psalmist recognizes that the Children of Israel did not gain possession of the "Promised Land" by their own swords and arms or their own strength and might. They gained what God promised them because God favored them and intervened to give them the victory in their conquest of the "Promised Land."

 Most people we talk to do not understand this concept because they feel that their possessions are a result of their own abilities and hard work. Their possessions become a stumbling block in their relationship with the Lord. Possessions were in the way of the rich man that talked to Jesus, as recorded, in Mark 10:17-23. Jesus asked him to give his possessions to the poor so he could receive his treasure in heaven. He could not part with his possessions to gain the greatest possession of all, eternal life.

This is a reminder to us today that all that we have, in the way of this world's possessions; we have because God has enabled us. We are to acknowledge that what we have comes from God and then be thankful to Him and give Him the glory. 

In our travels we have visited many places where Kings and Queens, from thousands of years ago, had "THEIR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS" buried with them in their tombs. They did this so that they would be comfortable in their future lives. But today these possessions are still in their tombs, or museums nearby, for all to see. It is not in God's plan for one to take their possessions to their eternity.

Many people work long hours today and spend money foolishly to acquire their goals so that they can realize the "possessions" that they have dreamed for. The result, in most cases, is that they do this at the expense of losing their spouses and family. How many people do you know that are captivated by their desire to have more and better possessions? Do you think they are really happy with what they have and will be happier with more?

Our greatest possession in life today should be our personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Our second greatest possession should be our spouses and family. God will bless those that grasp this concept and honor Him in this way.

We remember talking often to a mother who lived in one of the poorest areas in the heart of the inner city of Los Angeles. She had two children. One was mentally disabled and the other was in good health. She loved children and took six other children off the street and raised them in her very small home. Cathy had very few earthly possessions and had to make contact with our mission to receive food and other supplies weekly to feed these children. We were able to provide her needs and because of her dedication and love for these children they grew up loving their "mother" and most important loving their Lord. Cathy had her priorities right. She invested her time and energy to raising her "children" to love the Lord. She had very few earthly possessions because they were not important for her. She will receive her reward in heaven.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.

Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.

PRAYER:

Thank You dear Lord for the many blessings and the possessions that You have entrusted me with. Help me to understand that each possession we have as a family has come to us because of Your love for us. Help me to reach out today with a loving heart and caring hands to those I meet.