I don’t believe I have mentioned this before, but I love old cars. When there is a car show in town, I love to watch them drive by. And, every once in a while, we will even go. One of the most awesome and costly older vehicles is the Ferrari GTO. Owning a vehicle like this is not in my wildest dreams. These vehicles were produced from 1962-1964 and only 32 were ever made… which explains the $30-$35 million price tag for this vehicle. A recent article spoke about a man who owned a completely original Ferrari GTO. He ran it in a race and managed to leave without a single scratch. Then, on the way home, the vehicle in front of him stopped. But he did not. This decreased the value of his car by tens of millions of dollars.

It is funny how society really thrives on material possessions, wealth, big houses, and expensive cars. And they want us to buy into that “Get the newer, bigger, and best” mentality.

That Ferrari GTO is symbolic. It is a symbol of wealth, prestige, and status. But we have to be careful in pursuing those things. In fact, Jesus warned against such things in the parable often referred to as The Parable of the Rich Fool.

“Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ Luke 12:15-20.

This life is fleeting. And it is short. Even the scripture says so. In James 4:14, our life is compared to a vapor. “…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” We are here one moment and gone the next.

Yet, we spend the bulk of it working and toiling. And for what? For money? But money cannot buy happiness. For status and prestige? We toil and work to obtain the praise of people we don’t even like or care about. Or is it for material possessions like that Ferrari GTO (not in my wildest dreams ;-))? Those things will rot and rust and be of no value someday. Just ask the man who drove his into another vehicle.

There is something that we can be working for that is far more valuable than any of these things; to live a life that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Then we may be rewarded by hearing our Heavenly Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:31. In my opinion (next to salvation), there is no greater reward.

As followers of Jesus Christ, our focus should be on pleasing our Heavenly Father. When that is our focus, He is pleased and we are blessed. Our son has a saying, “I work to live, I don’t live to work.” God gives us the ability to earn an income. But that income is not for earthly pleasures. It is for our needs and for the advancement of the gospel. God would have us use it for His purposes, not to satisfy our selfish desires.

Now, does that mean that we should dress in burlap bags, live in cardboard boxes, and eat only bread and water? No, it means to seek God in all that we do and He will direct our path, our earning, our spending, our hobbies, and our passions. “Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 (NLT).

God wants us to have an abundant/full life. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. And He has a plan to prosper us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

We don’t have to kill ourselves working. God will provide. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Our Heavenly Father does not want us to spend our lives working and toiling for things that will fade and be of no value. He wants us to strive to live our lives out in a way that glorifies Him so that others would be rescued from their sin the way that we were. Because God desires that none should perish but that all would come to repentance and have a relationship with Him and eternity in Heaven. “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Mark 8:36.

When I was a child, did I think that I would own my own home? Not in my wildest dreams. But I not only own a home here on earth, but I have a mansion in Heaven waiting on me. Did I think that I would have a relationship with God? Not in my wildest dreams. But I do and it is intimate and beautiful. Did I think that He would forgive me, adopt me as His own precious child, and have a purpose and a plan for me? Not in my wildest dreams. But He did and He does and I am trying to live out that plan to please Him.

We have to stop satisfying our flesh and desires and toiling for things that will be of no eternal value. And we need to make this a life worth living. It should be one that pleases and honors God. Then, it will be one that is abundantly blessed by Him.

Father God, forgive us for chasing after foolish things. And for focusing on the things of this world and not the things of Heaven. Father, please help us to seek you. Only then will we be free from the bondage of striving for useless things. Only then will we have the time to evangelize the lost, minister to the hurting, and serve you. Because we understand, Father, that this short life is the only time we will be able to advance your Kingdom. Help us to make that our work. Then (although once it was not in my wildest dreams), we can strive to please you and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Are you burdened by chasing after the things of this world? Trying to obtain material possessions and status and prestige? God wants to free you from that bondage. Our Heavenly Father wants a relationship with you and He wants to help you to live a life worth living. On our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/), we have a prayer outlined. Please go to our life Preserver page and, once you are there, please pray that prayer. God has a love, peace, hope, and future that is beyond your wildest dreams. Once you have prayed, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I would love to be in prayer with — and for — you.

Luv Ya!