Podcast 19.3 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let's think about this.

Covet not this world's vain riches,

And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15 ESV

Jesus is teaching here to be on guard against having a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else. That can consume your soul, and become the foundation of your hope. Ask Jesus to reveal any covetousness within you.

That so rapidly decay,

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV

There are at least two reasons not to covet. Here is the first. The world's riches rapidly decay. Even if you are able to acquire them, you will eventually loose them in this life or at its end. Ask the Spirit to help you to avoid toiling to acquire worldly wealth.

Seek to gain the heav'nly treasures,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV

Here is the second. Heavenly treasures are eternal. Rather that toiling to acquire treasures that will not last, we should lay up ones that will. How are you seeking to gain those treasures? What are you invested in that will produce those heavenly treasures?

They will never pass away.

…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  I Peter 1:3b, 4 ESV

And how incredible those treasures are that will not pass away! An inheritance that is eternal. When we build on that inheritance, we are putting our hopes on things that will last forever. Praise God for the hope that is eternal, which we find when we hold His unchanging hand.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

Covet not this world's vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav'nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Hold to God's unchanging hand,
Hold to God's unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God's unchanging hand.

Take the mindfulness of God's presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.